31 days intentional-day 4

The boys...

welcome sweet one

with daddy  

the famous brow 

love this

how quickly the time is going!

our precious ones

⁵ And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”  Genesis 33:5

31 Days intentionally- day 3

Hello :)  A realization here.  Being that I've always written sporadically, I had in mind writing everyday for 31 days wouldn't be impossible.  Hard, yes.  But not impossible.  Well, as my dear friend Ruth commented, family is first.  Truthfully, having a nursing baby and four other sweet ones and my dear hubby, this is where my heart and my time belongs.  A precious blessing I don't want to take for granted.

So I'm definitely committed to the 31 days of intentional living...just won't be posting them on a daily basis.

Happy and blessed weekend to you!

And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.-Acts 16:33

31 days of being intentional- day 2

First off, even though the dates show I'm on track... uh yep, I've missed a day already...have I bitten off more than I can chew already?!  Never, I say!  (can you tell I didn't get enough sleep last night ...)

Okay, so I'm not giving up or beating myself up for missing a day, even though those nasty little thoughts crept in already..."another thing you won't finish; you can't do this" etc.  Blah.

On to being intentional :)  One of my sweet ones asked me to watch a cartoon today.  My first thought-the baby is sleeping, I can tackle the laundry and the dishes before he wakes up!  Then there was that quiet reminder, he won't ask me to watch something with him for much longer and though the things I wanted to do needed to be done, this was important to him.  I chose what was better...we laughed at the crazy little cowboy mouse plucking Tom's whiskers out for guitar strings.

Later today, the same situation came up with our oldest, this time with a video online.  We actually watched more than just the one.  It was fun :)

There is more to these little moments then just doing something they ask me to do.  I am saying to them with my actions that I love them, not just with my words. I want them to be able to think back onto their  childhood and remember me doing stuff with them, not just me making meals for them or keeping the house clean.  Quality time...

On the final note- I followed through on my words to the 3 year old AND he was obedient (he's struggling a little in this area with adjustment to baby.)  Yay!  And after three attempts (and a lot of time) at trying to print pictures for the baby announcements and thank you cards I finally did it on the fourth attempt and accepted IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT.  Baby steps... :)

A good day...remembering the little things that have lasting effects...by His grace.

“The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalm 25:14-15 ESV

31 days of being intentional- day 1

13 minutes left of today!  I'm trying to stick to my word of starting today :)

Woo-hoo!

As I mentioned in my last post, I've chosen to write for 31 days (idea from here -what a wonderful idea!) focusing on being intentional.

A pastor once said, "we judge others based on their actions; we judge ourselves based on our intentions."  Isn't this true?!  I am terribly guilty of having "good intentions," you know the whole idea of "oh, I wanted/planned/meant to do that."  Examples:  the adorable thank you post cards the 3 year old and I made in oh you know May...and they're still sitting here.  Or (the best one) the Christmas gifts that were sent in June (after Christmas!...yes, I have a gracious family.)

So I'm hoping that by choosing to be intentional in my writing and my living day to day for 31 days, intentional living will become a habit and have a positive affect on myself and my family.

There are many things I've chosen not to do.  One- fear; two- laziness; three- lack of planning; four-goals way out of the realm of reality (we must remember there are seasons for everything and times when God says no to certain things-to His glory and for our own good.)  So, here I am stepping out in faith.  Excited!

To God be the glory...humbly, I know I can do all things with the Lord.  He has shown me this continually when I am way out of my comfort zone, sometimes in tears but pushing through and listening.  Listening...being quiet...listening...

Good stuff :)

Final note:  My cutie at 3 weeks already!  I am loving the gift of motherhood and being the wife to a husband who not only amazes me at His love for us but the man he is.  He is driven, funny, tender hearted, strong, courageous, our protector and an awesome teacher (even though he continually tells me he IS NOT a teacher...funny guy ;) )  The most precious gift- his love for the Lord and His Word.

Happy week to you!

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 ESV

a crazy thought...

Yes, I really am going to put pictures up...soon (as soon as I download them to my computer!) ;)

On another note, I have this crazy idea...I am jumping on the blogger band wagon and already composing (in my mind only of course) posts for a 31 days challenge (idea from here.)  Yes, I know I was supposed to start on October 1st but with a 6 day old wee-one at that time, not so realistic for this mama (maybe not so realistic for right now either but we'll just ignore that.)

So why am I telling you I'm going to do this?  Really just to keep myself accountable.  I'm starting Monday and the 31 days will be about being "intentional", something I struggle with.  I have great intentions but awful follow through!

We'll see how my follow-through is with this ;)

A happy and blessed weekend to you!  We're loving the beautiful amazing colors of fall, the crisp cool air, final days of our big boys football games, and of course sweet baby cuddles...this is my favorite season, in more ways than one :)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

quick check in :)

A quick note-sweet boy arrived, 5 days late but happy and healthy and QUICKLY (praise the LORD!)
Pictures coming :)  Thank you for your prayers!  We are doing well and loving our sweet new addition.


“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4 ESV

baby note 3

39 weeks 5 days

Hello sweet baby boy, 

Today is the 22nd!  You were due 2 days ago but it seems you are following after your big brother here :)  I'm not in any hurry though.  God has perfect timing and it was such a joy to see your little amazing face on the ultrasound yesterday.  The tech said your not big and not small...my guess right now is 8 pounds something (just a guess though!)  You're not as active as a couple of weeks ago but of course your space is smaller!  

Your brother here in the picture loves talking to you.  The Lord has chosen amazing big brothers for you!  They have so much to teach you...lots of good things and then of course the funny brother/boy things!  Of course these great things all come from your daddy :)

Pizza tonight sweet one, 

love,

Mama, Daddy & brothers

PS-nesting quite a bit today!  oh, and I have LOVED Grandma Karen's potato salad this pregnancy-can't get enough!!!

baby note 2

38 weeks 6 days

Dear sweet little boy,

How funny!  This was last week and I'm even bigger today!  You are more active then your brothers (at least that I can remember!)  I'm feeling well, other than not sleeping the best at nights, unfortunately neither is your daddy :)  This past week was a crazy one-Daddy with his school work (my sweet boy, if you ever have a love of statistics, bless you!), finishing up some final cleanings for the summer season (praise the Lord!) and some exciting talks about God's plans and desires for our family.  All I can say, it was a LONG week but then the the weekend came and your brothers had football games, winning 2 out of 3 games (Pee-wee and Junior Varsity-awesome!), a peaceful church service and a birthday dinner for your Grandma Karen.  The Lord provided rest... truly a blessing.

So tomorrow begins the new week!  I really thought you would have arrived by now but God has His perfect timing and we see this :)  Grandma, Jerry, Great-Grandma and your aunt and uncle have bets going on your due date!  Tomorrow and then Thursday (your actual due date)  through Sunday are their guesses.  (Smile)  Yes, this is your mama's side of the family.  On another note, your grandparents here are leaving tomorrow for the week so...maybe you will wait? ;)

We love you sweet boy...and we have a name for you!  We can't wait to meet you!  So thankful for your life and the blessing of God choosing us to be your family.  Your sweet brother Spencer talks to you quite often, telling you his funny tales of the "wolf" (from the the 3 Little Pigs) and not to kick him when he puts his head on my belly.  And he kisses you good-night every night :)  (Melt my heart)
And then of course your biggest brother likes to poke my belly and tell me how big it is-boys! :)

Love you,
Mama, Daddy and brothers

PS-Your daddy was so sweet tonight to take your mama on a date.  In this tiny town, we ventured to the movies as it was a last minute thought and went to see the one movie they were playing.  I'm blessed to humbly say, we left after about half an hour.  Sounds funny but it was a gift to see that a movie that is rated 3.5 stars (out of 4) was a true example of what the "world" says is good and what our hearts, by the grace of God, says is not.  We left, happy to come home and thankful for changed hearts.  I'm so thankful for the daddy you have.  :)

baby note

36 weeks 4 days

Hello sweet one,

Your daddy and brothers and I are looking forward to meeting you!  You are due in less than 4 weeks but you could be here any day...or in 5 weeks if you're following after your latest brother!  (We did think seriously, you were arriving last Tuesday though; glad you decide to stay and grow some more inside!)  You are active, really LOW and making my belly hurt...of course it could have been that I just ate way too much soup tonight!  Cravings with you have been lemony, diet coke randomly, a serious aversion to coffee for the first 5-6 months, cookies, tuna and french fries and now an aversion to fried fish.  Yep, sounds really healthy!  Well, fortunately, I have not been eating these things on a regular basis and have enjoyed yogurt, fruit, water, lemonade and hummus!  I'm thankful this pregnancy has been good with only the recommended weight gain and I've been active with still working (even now...but your mama is one tired lady!)  We have the changing table set up, clothes washed (including several even from your oldest brother) and will hopefully set up your crib (you're the 5th and getting the first new crib!) tomorrow.  I'm having a hard time sleeping now, but strangely not during the day...hmmm.  Your daddy and brothers are busy doing school and we're looking forward to meeting you!  We're still trying to figure out what you're name is- praying!

Miss Ruth is having a baby shower for me this Sunday! I'm quite excited. Little things for you sweet one. :)

Love you sweet boy and so thankful the Lord has chosen us to be your family!
Mama, Daddy and brothers


“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

love...

 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(picture by the sweet Ruth, how quickly time goes :) )

Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
~1 Corinthians 13

A gift from our Father, to God be the glory...He gives us love here on earth between one another but He gave His Son because He loved us first, not because we loved Him... a love undeserved, but given with grace and mercy.  A love everlasting..

{this moment}

...summer days are coming to an end...but I LOVE Fall!  Happy Friday friends :)

"Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises." ~Psalm 98:4


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