Flashback Friday

It's hard to believe this time last year... 

we were about to have a baby!

 A sweet miracle baby girl that we can't imagine life without. We were given a  low percentage of ever having children on our own without help. It was so shocking to know God had given us this gift after praying for so many years. Looking back now it all makes sense the whole journey from invitro, then adoption, to a sweet surprise. It was a journey that I wouldn't change any part of it even the extremely hard parts. The pits and valleys changed me for who I am today. I even miss the journey, the part where I was totally surrender to God trusting him wholehearted. If you would have asked me that I would miss the hardships I would have laughed but I do.  I want to encourage those out there that struggle with infertility ... don't give up HOPE. God hears your prayers and he will answer them in HIS time. He has the better plan and usually it doesn't look like what we think it should.  

Which honestly, we don't want it too, we want it to reflect his image which makes for a much more beautiful story! If you ever need encouragement to see Jesus in the face of your difficulty with having children... I'm here! 

Whenever someone shares their struggles my heart yearns for them... it pulls on a heart strings dear to me. I think one of the deepest desire God gives us women is to be a mother. Once that yearning has been turn on within us there is no stopping it. It's a full flood gate of emotions that can control your thoughts but you need to allow those to be channeled to the Lord so it doesn't become your idol as it did for me. For you that are struggling hang tight, open the bible let God speak loudly to you and pray like crazy! 

 We will reveal his plan and what a beautiful plan it will be!  

Today, I celebrate HOPE and the miracles that have been given to me!  

This time last year I sat and waited on the longest day ever but it was the fastest year ever! Kate turns ONE tomorrow! 

Take a look at this big mamma a year ago I posted this ... 

Today has been the LONGEST day ever! The kids and I tried to find something to do to kill our time. After two playgrounds and a quick swim this morning I still find myself looking at my watch thinking today is going sooo slow:) We are ALL excited about tomorrow... it's the big day that God brings another little girl into this world. What picture would fit today's embrace the camera better than one of me and just the PB&J gang. 

 Poor Lucky our dog as he knows something is up and has been acting strange all week. He knows he's moving down the totem pole one more notch. He's going to have one more child to protect and more food to clean up off the floor... maybe he's resting up for his big responsibilities.  

One last picture before Scott ran into work this morning. I promise I won't be posting again without new pictures of Sunshine. 

Wish us luck and I'll be back soon:) 


So, I'll be back this time with pictures of Kate's first birthday! 
Today, I rejoice being here on this earth enjoying these precious miracle gifts I have been given!  One thing I do know, is that every child created is truly a miracle and one we shouldn't take for granted! 

The Man in the Yellow Shirt

I really had no intentions of taking a week off from blogging but last week the flu and strep throat brought this mamma down for the count bed ridden and achy all over .. just not fun. But back to normal with no one else getting it .. thank you Jesus! I'm back to continue the story.. if you need to catch up to speed go back and read this post...

So, it's a Tuesday and were heading to the local library for story time. We all pile out with our big pile of books to return into the electric slot outside the library. I was teaching Parker how to wait for the green light before entering another book into the slot ... it was a good lesson on patience as the machine was taking forever. The kids were antsy to get inside as we were running late for story time.  As I was waiting between the times of putting another book in .. I over hear a man in a yellow shirt talking on his cell phone. He was upset talking to a friend then he got another phone call where he answered with a professional voice saying "Yes Mam, I lost my job and now I'm not sure what to do?" .. it struck me and I wanted to listen more. While tuning the kids out I heard him say " I'm here to find a job", then I couldn't hear him as he was walking away.  My heart was racing, I was totally checked out while Parker is saying mommy can i put the book in now over and over... I finally said yes. Then I thought I need to give him money .. I can't I bet I don't have any and we're late for story time and the kids are ready to go. I thought for a minute ok if he's still outside after, I will give him what I have in my wallet... which i thought was nothing because I never have money in my wallet. We sneak in the back of story time. The whole time I'm thinking awe man I hope this guy is still there after. He just lost his job and is really upset. I look in my purse and I actually do have money $32 that's crazy I thought I never have cash... I put it in my pocket ready to give. Thinking for a second I hope I don't insult him by giving him money? After, my heart is racing so hoping he is still there and I looked up and down, outside and in the library everywhere but he's gone. I think ok God not meant to be ... If it is then I would see him again. I'm in the children's area helping the kids find some books but still looking at everyone walking in the door hoping it was him. I then finally see him walking and pacing up and down the sidewalk upset. My heart is racing ok Jesus this is meant to be ... I gather my kids, hard to do as they don't know why we're leaving so soon and want more books, I tell them a couple more but we got to go. Then stand in a line to check out. Thinking ok God if you want me to give it to him he will be outside ... I head outside and he's not there. I said oh no he's not here... I pile the kids in the car. There is a Job hiring center down at the end maybe he's in line there? I tell the kids "hey, you know that guy that was standing by us talking on his phone when we were checking our books in?" thinking no way they will know and Brooke say"YES, the guy with the yellow shirt?" I said Yes!! Let's look for him!  God told me to give him some money because he just lost his job. Parker was shocked I knew that .. I told them I overheard him on the phone:) We looked all around the shopping center, no sign of him but the kids were excited and wanted to find him. We drove to the next shopping center still no signs.I said oh well, I guess he's gone...we didn't want to give up but we needed to head home as Kate was getting fussy. I said to the kids lets give someone else the money. On this particular day we saw many struggling people walking around at each corner.  Ok, you guys tell me who .. so they were on a mission to find someone. They noticed this guy on a bike and said him... I said ok until Brooke screams

" LOOK it's the man with the yellow shirt!" he was way up ahead! walking right in front of our church!! I started shaking, my heart was racing it's him!! WOW Brooke what a good eye you have! The whole car cheered!  We were all excited we found him .. I pulled off the road and said excuse me sir ...excuse me sir... 

and he walked over .. I said "God wanted me to give you this!" He was dripping sweat and looked so tired .. He looked at me in the eye shocked and started to cry. I thought thank you Jesus for leading me to him.  He began to tell me his story just being laid off from Red Lobster and he should have saw it coming but had no idea. He told me his struggles and all that he was going through .. it was clear he needed Jesus more now than ever!I told him about looking for him and for my kids trying to find him. I told him all about my church right there in the parking lot that he should try it! He said he wanted to he couldn't believe God just gave him this! He was so thankful so broken and hurting. I told him it was ok and God has the plan to trust in him. My kids in the back seat were frozen listening to every word awe struck themselves. I told him I will be continually praying for him! As, I rolled up my window I couldn't stop smiling ..Parker said "Mommy that was just so nice of you!"
 I began to tell him that is what Jesus would have done. 

We talked about it on the ride home about loving our neighbor and how great it feels to give. But more importantly that is what the gospel looks like. We should love our neighbor as ourselves! What if all of us were able to do deeds out of love and gratitude? What if we were all able to act to think of others beyond our small group we are comfortable with? Yes, that made a small difference in a man's life and hopefully will bring him to Jesus. But it made a huge difference for my children to see what helping a person in need looks like. 

When we got home Brooke was quiet and grabbed some paper while I was returning some emails. She started to draw a picture of our family, she then asked if she could have an envelope and I said sure why? she said she wanted to send Grannie " my mom" a card. I said that was so nice of her, she drew a picture of all our family members and wrote LOVE Brooke on it. I wrote the address on the envelope and notice something weird shaped inside. I said Brooke what is that? she said I wanted to give Grannie some money .. she had gotten out of her purse in her room. I thought wow she gets it .. what giving is all about. 

The word mirror strikes my heart thinking

 Love is the mirror that reflects the image of God, and this must be love in deed.

 What's ironic now thinking about it,  is the cash I gave the man was actually
 from my mom in the 1st place.. she had given me for mother's day. 
Just so fun how God works out so many details that we don't even see. 
It all started with the holy spirit placing it on my heart to give to the stranger next to me but then a stranger in the Starbucks and McDonalds line showing me what that looks like then pulling the trigger to help a man in need that in returned making an impact on my children to make a difference. 

WOW that is what the Gospel is all about when you allow God to lead your way! What would it look like to serve others, not just to feel good, but to cultivate goodness all around?

What a world this would be! 

Beach 2012

Sorry your going to have to wait until next week to hear the rest of the story... 

On this Flashback Friday, I'm doing our beach vacation as it was at the same place as last year

This was the group last year 2011

 but we grew a little! Our group 2012 

 The Girls 

The Boys 

We had a few more families join us and plus some of us added to our families. There never was a dull moment and the kids always had someone to play with that is the greatest thing about going with a big group! 

 All four kiddos together at the beach 2012 

 We stayed for the whole week the whole family of 6 for 7 days .. just priceless!

beach 2011 

beach 2012

 Last year was hard at the beach with a toddler around 19 months old plus Jonas would get worn out easily, he didn't love the water or the sand but this year he couldn't wait to jump in and actually loved the beach more than the pool. It's amazing what a year can do when your going on vacation. 

He was a joy and just loved the whole week! 

The twins beach 2011 

The twins beach 2012 

The baby faces are surely turning into young kids 

Last year, I went from large in charge pregnant mama 

to this little bathing beauty with us this year 

Wearing her first piggy tails enjoying the sand, water, sun and kid entertainment all around her. 

It was a year to remember and can't wait until our week beach vacation next year. 

We might get brave and try somewhere different. 

Love in Deed

Go grab another cup a coffee make yourself comfortable and read a pretty cool God story ...


Our church has been doing a series called Love in Deed. 

Here's a brief description about it... 

What if our community was characterized by how we serve? What if it was more than three hours on a Saturday? What if loving our neighbor requires action?

Service isn’t meant to make us feel good, though it often does. It is not a way to make God love us more. It is a humble offering in recognition of our mutual need for Jesus. We serve because Jesus served first. Deeds of service are acts of worship, active worship—mirroring Christ, who donned a towel to wash even the feet that would run to betray him.

What would it look like to imitate Jesus? What if our deeds were not done out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude? What would it look like to serve others, not just to feel good, but to cultivate goodness within?

Love is the mirror that reflects the image of God, and this must be love in deed.

Last Sunday our pastor talked about Isaiah 58:1-8 

In verse 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter -when you see the naked to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 

this verse stuck out to me.. also our pastor challenged us to take this week to act on serving which got my mind wondering what I could do.  

I remembered a story that happened to me a few months ago.. 

Me and the 4 kiddos went to the dollar store which is located close to downtown, lots of homeless people hang outside and ask for money as you walk in .. sometimes we give but every time we do we say this is a gift from God. This particular day there wasn't anyone outside. We walk around the store, or really should I say chase Jonas around the store, got the things we needed and waited in line. It was busy around lunch time and lots of workers buying lunch or a snack. I was in the check out line when heart began to race. I noticed the lady standing behind me in linewas dropping coins and digging in pockets counting out any coins she could find. A rush of emotions came over me and I started to shake, my heart was pounding then I thought I should buy her drink and chips she was buying. I had never thought or done this before. Then I wrestled with I didn't want to insult her that she couldn't find her money, or think I was doing it because she looked in need...but then I thought that's what Jesus would do. Within in a few seconds of thinking,  I was distracted by my 2 year old about to walk away touching stuff he shouldn't then he was knocking down the display. I quickly paid for my stuff and walked away feeling like I wish I would have just done it! 

I got in the car and thought about it .. "awe I wish I would have done it!" 

Fast forward a week... it was early in the morning and the kids and I were going to Sea World. Before heading off I was in need of some coffee, I was waiting in line at the drive-thru Starbucks. It was packed, two different car lines ready to turn into one drive thru lane. I was busy talking to my kids about our day at Sea World not really paying attention when I thought it was my turn to go when a lady starting yelling out of her car window " no way lady do you not see all these cars behind me are waiting before you?" I said oh wow all of them have been waiting before me ... really? So I backed my car out of line and told her to go ahead I'm so sorry! She said no go ahead you already jumped ahead and I said no I insist you go ahead. Really... she might have been there before me I wasn't paying attention but I know all the cars behind her where not there before me... which the next guy in line had let me go .. I make my order thinking wow the lady in front of me is taking a long time .. the kids are get antsy... I pull up to pay for my yummy white chocolate mocha, they handed me the coffee and said your all set the lady in front had paid for it! I said WHAT? the lady insisted she pay for it! The twins in the way back said what? I said the lady that was in front of me paid for my coffee and they both said wow that was nice of her ... she must have felt bad about yelling at me. Honestly, I have never had that happen before ever! I couldn't stop smiling I couldn't believe someone would do that for me!?  Especially because I had just wanted to do that for someone else last week!! I think it was God that wanted to show me an example and give me the boost to do it for someone else. I thought OK I'm going to do it for someone else next. It truly made me feel so good someone would do something so nice.

It was a hot day, when we left Sea World  I told the kids we could stop at McDonald's on the way home to get ice cream sundaes. They had never had them before ... crazy I know as I grew up with them.
They were so excited when we were again in the drive thru ...two fast food places in one day...that never happens. It's 3:00 and it's packed ,This jeep Cherokee comes driving really fast then cuts me off  by going over the curb in the drive thru .. she yells out her window ... I"m sorry and waves out her window! I said a little nervously it's OK ... she obviously was a in a huge hurry. She was in front of me in line and you could tell she was being so impatience creeping up close to the car in front of her. I"m thinking what is wrong with this lady? Then I order and head to the next window to pay... This lady gets out of her car and I was turned around talking to my kids and I look out my window and she's just standing there. Scared me to death ...I think I even screamed. She said I'm so sorry I cut you off I have a little boy that's two that is throwing a total tantrum screaming he wants some milk!! I could actually hear him because her car door was open. He was flipping out. She was so rattled... she said I'm paying for whatever you're getting to apologize for cutting you off and I said NO please don't, it's fine I totally understand as I have 4 kids myself. She said she insisted as she was walking back to her car. She waved Goodbye and yelling thank you out her window.  I was awe struck! NO WAY did this really happen to me TWO times in the same day .. someone paid for me?!!! I couldn't believe it and the kids couldn't believe it.. we were so shocked. OK God you really were teaching me a lesson how to do something nice for someone! What's really cool is that my kids got to witness the whole thing and see how good it feels to give and receive... I was on a mission the rest of the weekend to pay it forward to someone...Finally I pulled the trigger, just this week on Tuesday,  it was loud and clear who I needed to help. It's amazing when someone does one small blessing how much it can actually make a difference. stay tuned  for the rest...

Flashback Friday

Flashback Friday is something I thought would be fun to start...a way to look back

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 

Romans 15:4 

So, on Fridays I'm going to take a look back as I do feel like our past molds us on who we are today. When we take a look at the past we might even learn a thing or two. 

Today marks the very 1st flashback Friday. 

 This was the 1st day of preschool 

  they only went one morning a week  but it was something they looked forward too everyday! 

On this rainy day it was hard for me to drop them off for 4 hours. I remember getting choked up in the car thinking am I leaving them too young? but in the long run looking back today it was a great decision. Their relationships and learning has blossomed into something beautiful.

 They love school, they love their friendships they created, they love to explore their world without their mommy right next to them. Their teachers have poured into their sweet character and helped make them who they are.  I'm proud of who the twins have become! They are both still completely different and have become such beautiful individuals that compliment each other like an old married couple. 

This is the twins graduating Pre-K 

I always thought it was so funny for kids to be "graduating from preschool" ... until you have your own. It's a milestone I now understand as a right of passage into the school system for another 18 years.  For the years ahead their minds are going to grow into knowledgeable young adults. Preschool marks the beginning foundation for their career in school.This is so sad for me as their independence is going to grow more and more while I'm learning to let go more and more. I'm not sure what subjects they will enjoy the most or what they will become but I do know they have a really great foundation to enjoy learning!
Thank you preschool teachers for pouring your love into my precious children,
 they are an example of hard work and dedication.

A Few More...

You know everyone says "enjoy them now because it goes by so quickly" it's true I know! It's hard to remind ourselves of that when we're in the mist of it all. Our frustrations will change and become much tougher when they get older. Unlike today as Brooke loves making up her own songs humming them all around the house while Parker vrooms his car noises and Jonas laugh screams up and down the hallway while Kate fussingly grunts for her food. I have to remind myself that someday these little voices will turn into talking teenagers begging to use my car, or talking late on the telephone with the opposite sex, or playing silent because they keep things to themselves. Oh how I can get nervous just thinking about 4 teenagers in our house. While Parker and Brooke will be seniors in High School, Jonas will be a freshman and Kate will be in 8th grade. I really can't even imagine what that will be like and really I don't want to yet. 

I want to just enjoy them now because before I know it will be gone. 

Daddy with his boys 

Daddy with his girls 

Me with my boys 

Even pictures like this I will miss showing their fun  personalities

Brooke started to tickle Parker, Jonas doing his normal scream laugh 

Which lead to a complete tackle, laughing with a cry from Kate in the background. 

Good thing our pictures don't have volume as this last one would be loud, but boy I'm going to miss the loud sweetness of my children 5 years and under. 

  

Click here for details 

Photo Shoot

Finally! We got professorial pictures done by EMILY 

One last time before she moves on to Texas :(  

We now actually have a family photo of all 6 of us, looking in the same direction ... miracle!  

I debated changing our blog name but it's too hard to tell everyone and change everything. 

So, I decided to keep in the same family of 5, as it is where is all started. 

Our new blog design we was done by my handy graphic designer sister Allee. 

Isn't it the cutest?! 

Besides the pictures used for the design, here are some other favorites.... 

Parker 5 1/2 years old 

The oldest by 11 minutes 

 Brooke 5 1/2 years old

 Jonas 2 1/2 years old

 Kate 11 months old

 

Don't I have the cutest kids ever?!
Thanks Emily for capturing my children through your camera lense one last time!
You have a beautiful gift and it helped my blog look so cute!!