Thought for today ... well everyday!

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear) but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

23 Weeks!

... and one day! :)

It's a party ... just a little belated!

I know their birthdays were in April and May, but between first trimester pregnancy, moving, unpacking and the other major life changes happening in our lives it took a little while to get a birthday celebration figured out. This year, we kept it simple and had a few of the girls best pals over for some water games, pizza, cake, lots of playtime, a little art, a movie and popcorn and (finally) sleep! :) The next morning was topped off with Daddy at the griddle making pancakes. I'm thinking a good time was had by all. Here are a few glimpses (okay, maybe more than a few ... sorry!) of the fun. Enjoy!

The whole gang ...

Sponge/bucket races ... the idea is to get the sponge, filled with water, from one end to the other, fill the bucket and the first team to fill the bucket wins.

Next up, the jug fill. This was the most hilarious because of all the different heights of the kiddo's and their pouring abilities. So much fun! First to fill the jug twice, wins!

The "big kid" ... instigator!

Pay back! :)


Water balloons ... too hard to throw and get someone so they just started popping them over each others heads!

Free for all .... just FYI, no children were wounded on the trampoline. There was no jumping allowed and no standing.

The Daddy tower!

Snack time ... and a moment to dry out ... before the pizza was ready. Such sweet friends!

Happy Birthday to you! It's hard to believe that our sweet oldest daughter is NINE! How does that happen? She is a joy to behold and her giggle is simply infectious! We love our Madison!

And our sweet baby isn't the baby anymore. How did she get SEVEN? It's just wrong how fast they grow! She is so precious and such a helper and a snuggler. She's our girl in charge. We love our Peyton!

Happy Birthday Girls! God has great things in store for you and we are proud to be your parents! We love you! Mommy and Daddy!

The Cake Decorators

Every year since they were born I have made and decorated the girls birthday cakes. This year, they decided they wanted to do it themselves. Such artists! Love it!

The canvas ...

Okay, seriously, how adorable is this face?

Serious business ...

Oh yes, she is mine! :)

Concentration ...

Sharing space ... and nicely, I might add!

The finished products ... makes a mommy so proud!

(in)courage

Courage or encourage … I don’t know which. Today, courage looks to me like stepping into what God is calling me to do without excuse and ignoring all the things that satan is saying and doing to try to keep me from it. Courage is knowing that God is bigger than anything He is calling me to do. That’s exactly it. It is attacking the “to do” list, loving my kids, loving and supporting my husband and being intentional. It’s a big tall intimidating laundry list. It is ignoring the bigness and stepping out and doing just one thing … one step at a time … and then another and then another until it is a habit or the task is accomplished, then onto the next thing. It is remembering the words of the Great Encourager … I am “equipped for every good thing” (2 Timothy 3:17), my “gifts and calling are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29), tell your children of my greatness and faithfulness (Deut. 6:7, 11:19), train up my children (Prov. 22:6), “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6, 31:8, Josh. 1:5, Heb. 13:5) … “trust in Me” (Psalm 56:4, John 14:1, Rom. 9:33).

That is where I am today. Standing on an edge and summoning up the courage, and energy and strength to just jump … freefall and enjoy all that God is calling for me, for us to do … the joy, the growing pains, ignoring the fear and trusting the One who is calling us to close our eyes and have childlike faith and jump … and then, watch in joy, amazement and wonder to see and live in just exactly what He IS going to do.

Yep, that is courage!
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I am excited and inspired. One of my most favorite writers, Ann @ A Holy Experience on the team of writers who have joined to create (in)courage me . An inspiring new website that I am already enjoying. To celebrate the launch they’ve asked bloggers to write a little something about courage or encouragement and share, so that is what I did. Head on over and enjoy a little (in)couragement.

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From my handy “Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary”

COURAGE: Bravery; intrepidity (fearlessness; undaunted courage or boldness); that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution.

COURAGEOUS: Brave, bold, daring; intrepid (literally, not trembling or shaking with fear; hence, fearless; bold, brave); hardy to encounter difficulties and dangers; adventurous; enterprising.

ENCOURAGE: To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit (to infuse or excite spirit in; to give new life to; to invigorate).

Gratitude ...

Oh the joy that comes with praise to our Heavenly Father ... for His amazing goodness, for His amazing gifts, for His perfect provision, for His words and promises, for His love and grace and gentleness, for His overwhelming care, that His ways are not our ways, that I don't have to understand, just trust ... His ways are higher and greater and HE NEVER FAILS! Thank you Lord!

601. Dinner with our Root friends and the joy of sitting together on the porch enjoying the breeze and lifting our petitions to the Lord. Amazing! For wherever two or more are gathered in His name ….
602. Hamburger meat on sale for $2 a pound so we fed 9 people on $6 plus buns for sloppy joes … and had leftovers!
603. Laughter and spunk from adorable “God’s girls.”

604. New console for t.v. built by crafty and extremely talented hubby. Wow!

605. No more wires and cords hanging out all over the place with new t.v. table in place.
606. Baby girl kicking inside!
607. Swimming “playdate” with our Herrold friends.

608. Moving Mom-in-Love to her new digs and God holding back the rain, as we petitioned, until the very last box was moved inside. Amazing!
609. Overwhelming grace … we are no longer orphans and slaves, but by His amazing grace we are SONS and DAUGHTERS OF THE ALMIGHTY KING JESUS!
610. Driving the girls to “Cousin Camp” and the joy of their reunion.




611. Road trip back home with hubby in no hurry to get anywhere … well except to some food!
612. Enchanted rock. Wow! God’s imagination blows me away.




613. Waiting in His tender care and provision.
614. Riding lawn-mowers.
615. Ice cream … Blue Bell’s Buttered Pecan, Homemade Vanilla, and Cookies and Cream.
616. Joy in the midst of trials.
617. KNOWING this trial will come to an end.
618. Friends who love and support us.
619. Jesus loves me … THIS I KNOW!




620. Brooms … knowing that when God sweeps out the old and dusty and yucky, He always brings the new and best and blessed.

621. Red blooms.

622. How praise and worship music ALWAYS lifts me up and refocuses my eyes on Him.
623. An earthly husband who is acting in integrity in spite of the fact that no doing so would benefit him. Thank you, Lord!
624. Stellan’s going home today!
625. Praying for America! "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14

21 Weeks