Friday, October 29, 2010



What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen
each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow
to share with each other in all gladness,
to be one with each other in all the silent
unspoken memories?
George Eliot



How thankful I am for this man.



Happy Birthday Love.

Thursday, October 28, 2010


It was time to think about getting our family pictures taken. Now that we have another little blessing in the family; now that Christmas is coming and a picture is needed for our Christmas card... but I wasn't sure it would happen. I had resolved that this year we might just end up setting up the tripod in our backyard or maybe we could steal my dad away for a couple of quick shots. It wouldn't be that bad.



But, I quickly mentioned something to a gal in our Church who takes beautiful pictures. A couple of phone calls later and it came together. I told her that I just wanted to do something quick and simple... a couple of different spots and we'd call it good.




She loves taking pictures of kiddos and grabbed a couple of fun ones. I'm so thankful that we were able to spend an hour with her one evening.



Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The fruit of the Spirit is... joy
Galatians 5:22
Joy.

It's been on my mind continually.

I want to be full of joy. Joy that bubbles up from the depth of my being.


When I look for joy, I find it everywhere and see God's hand in my life in very intimate ways.



When I look for joy.

Stopping to look changes everything.

No longer do I see things just as they are.



a mess that needs to be cleaned up or stopping to see...

the joy of sisters playing together quietly during school.



I choose the latter. I smile, they play and when school is over we work on cleaning it up together.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
There is no reason to get irritated instead I seek to find joy. Joy even in the little things.

John 15:9-13

Continue in His love... that joy might remain in me...



And yet another mess. Did you notice that this girl knows how to make a mess?

I want to choose joy... to let love fall down.

A sweet little girl playing... finding joy in being a mommy.

I sit down and we play together. She tells me her babies name and where they are going.



A smile crosses my lips. Joy flows and my heart whispers praises to God. We have to much to be thankful for.... so much to be joyful over.


Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

Mother Teresa

It happens in a million different ways each and every day. A choice. Irritation, frustration, even anger... or choosing to find joy... choosing to let a smile cross our lips.

Lord, help me to always see with your eyes. To let love fall down. To choose joy.


Monday, October 25, 2010

Our day...

It's been a while since I sat down to record my day but I quietly wanted to join in today...




FOR TODAY... October 25th

Outside my window... the skies are gray, the wind is blowing and we are suppose to get rain.

I am thinking... or wondering... how long it will take me to finish this. :)

I am thankful for... a little one who is snuggling with me right now, a husband who works hard and a quiet morning.

From the learning room... Yesterday one of my little men found a large garden spider on her web. The boys "fed" her a grasshopper and everyone is excited to go out and check on her today. The beauty of learning...

From the kitchen... baked oatmeal is in the oven.

I am creating... I'm starting to work on some Christmas presents but truthfully, the most important thing we are creating right now is future adults.... we are in the midst of training, teaching, and encouraging little ones. What is more important?

I am going... to enjoy this day.

I am hoping... and praying (!!!) that we have a home of peace and joy.

I am hearing... the babbles of my little one and the sound of wind outside our windows.

Around the house... today is our laundry day. School and laundry will fill our day.

One of my favorite things... a warm cup of green tea


Here is picture thought I am sharing..
.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

This boy of mine...









I love this picture sequence that we captured while we were outside yesterday. It captures his relationship with Alaina perfectly... whenever she starts crying, he'll go to her rescue. He'll lift her up, hold her tight and start talking with her. A brother's love...

He makes my heart smile...

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A fun fall project.




A little girl decorating the front door with it. ...smile...

Monday, October 18, 2010

some of our morning favorites...

Baked Oatmeal

1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup Agave nectar
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups of oats
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
1 cup milk
1 cup berries

Mix all ingredients together and let soak overnight. Bake in a greased 9" pie plate uncovered for 40 minutes at 350. Side note: We use rice milk as we have a little man allergic to milk.
I think our favorite berry to add would be fresh strawberries but we also love blueberries in it and we've done apples and cinnamon with great appreciation. :) Recipe found here.


***


Bran Muffins

2 cups wheat bran
1 c. boiling water
1/2 cup oil
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 T. molasses
1 1/2 cup flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine bran with boiling water. Add remaining wet ingredients. Combine dry ingredients and add to bran mixture. Bake at 400 for 20 to 25 minutes. We will also add raisins sometimes.

***


Thursday, October 14, 2010

Where are my eyes?

Title: Several Ways to Make Yourself Miserable

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

  • Count your troubles, name them one by one--at the breakfast table, if anybody will listen, or as soon as possible thereafter.
  • Worry every day about something. Don't let yourself get out of practice. It won't add a cubit to your stature but it might burn a few calories.
  • Pity yourself. If you do enough of this, nobody else will have to do it for you.
  • Devise clever but decent ways to serve God and mammon. After all, a man's gotta live.
  • Make it your business to find out what the Joneses are buying this year and where they're going. Try to do them at least one better even if you have to take out another loan to do it.
  • Stay away from absolutes. It's what's right for you that matters. Be your own person and don't allow yourself to get hung up on what others expect of you.
  • Make sure you get your rights. Never mind other people's. You have your life to live, they have theirs.
  • Don't fall into any compassion traps--the sort of situation where people can walk all over you. If you get too involved in other people's troubles, you may neglect your own.
  • Don't let Bible reading and prayer get in the way of what's really relevant--things like TV and newspapers. Invisible things are eternal. You want to stick with the visible ones--they're where it's at now.

Truth spoken.

Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You and only You. I don't want to get lost in this world. I don't want to loose sight of You, to loose sight of Your greatest gift, or to loose sight of answered prayers. Because really? You have blessed us with so much. May thankfulness and joy flow from our hearts continually.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

10 days, 3000 miles

The journey started early on a Saturday morning. With the cars being packed the night before, we were ready to go. We met my parents and my sister and her family at a Safeway parking lot, the walkie-talkies were turned on, gas tanks were filled and off we went.


We would be gone for ten days.

3000 miles lay ahead of us.


Our first stop found us enjoying a day at Legoland and a day at the ocean. Then we drove north, enjoying some special moments with Brent's mom. But, the reason for this trip? My Uncle's 70th birthday. We told them that we would not miss the celebration for anything. My sister quickly added in, "we would have gone to China if that's where you wanted to celebrate it".

Lake Tahoe was our final destination, the place where we would spend the weekend celebrating. We enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, swam each night, took an adventure on the Tahoe Queen and enjoyed the birthday dinner on Saturday night.

Memories were made. Sweet memories.

There was love and laughter and smiles.

Each moment was enjoyed to the fullest.


And now we are home.


We now find ourselves getting back into school and back into routines... Enjoying the cooler autumn days... Making plans for school and plans for the holidays.

Home is a beautiful place to be.