Monday, January 31, 2011

Grace

It's no secret that the last year has been the roughest of my life.  
I've been both shocked & blessed beyond comprehension.
Friday's events really through me for a loop.
I've been ridiculed for my faith.
It's made me draw even closer to my God.
It's made me hunger for His word more.
I've prayed for HIM to become like oxygen to my family
and to stop the enemy from attacking my family.
My faith is what has gotten me through this last year.

This was sung yesterday in church.
There are a few lines that spoke to me.






Grace - she takes the blame,
She covers the shame,
Removes the stain,
It can be her name...
Grace - it's the name for a girl,
It's also a thought that changed the world, (grace, grace)
And when she walks on the street you can hear the strings,
'Cause grace finds goodness in everything. (grace, grace, grace)

Grace - she's got the walk,
Not on a ramp or on chalk,
She's got the time to talk,
She travels outside of karma, karma,
She travels outside of karma,
And when she goes to work you can hear her strings,
'Cause grace finds beauty in everything.

Grace - she carries the world on her hips,
No champagne flute for her lips,
No twirls or skips between her fingertips,
She carries a pearl in perfect condition,
What once was hurt, (grace, grace)
What once was friction, (grace, grace)
What left a mark no longer stains,
Because grace makes beauty out of ugly things,
Grace finds beauty in everything,
Grace finds goodness in everything.

She changed the world,
Oh,
In everything.

Grace,
Oh.

Grace finds beauty,
Grace, grace, grace,
Finds goodness.


*I'm trying to find beauty & goodness in all this.*
if you pray, i welcome your prayers for my family


Grace - Nichole Nordeman Song Lyrics | Various Artists - General Miscellaneous Lyrics | Christian Music Song Lyrics | NewReleaseTuesday.com

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Jacob's Baby Dedication Verse


Finally . . .

. . . . used my Christmas present from the boys





. . . . ben is starting to feel better

Saturday, January 29, 2011

a few perks . . .

to having a sick little ben ben

endless cuddles
numerous back rubs for him
sweet looks
jammer day(s)
an unexpected slow saturday morning
a quieter house
fun chats
one on one
less food prep
he plays with my hair even more
extra naps for me beside him
brothers getting along

i still can't wait for him to feel better though!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Five Friday Favs

legwarmers

* * * * * 

a slow saturday morning
when we all get to cozy in
and read
i've been thinking about that all week
unfortunately jacob has bball pics at 7:30 am
(seriously!! who made up that schedule?!)

* * * * * 

Roxy
she keeps us warm too!

* * * * * 

HOPE Thrift
we went to drop off some stuff
opening feb 1

* * * * * 

Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope

sarah is letting me borrow it
it's really good!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Five Friday Favs

my nrprek friends who keep me together
silly sock day
stone soup
etc.
they love me and my forgetfulness

* * * * * 

a friday morning
breakfast with a few friends
making a new friend is especially joyful

* * * * * 

the new catalog
is full of fun!


* * * * * 

the specific prayers God answers!
I'm telling you ~
word for word!
LOVE IT

* * * * * 

the smell of homemade vegitable soup
and grilled cheese
does it get any better on a snowless cold day


Monday, January 17, 2011

makes my heart happy

i love meeting the boys 
as they get off the bus each afternoon
sam & jacob walk together chatting
ben runs toward me
i'm walking toward him 
with my arms out to each side
if he stops, i stop
he starts back up & runs into my arms
let him stay little
i LOVE it!

* * * * * 

the boys are playing basketball for the y
the joke is that daddy's goal for a few players 
is to simply have them no longer afraid of the ball 
by the end of the season
watching jacob encourage & cheer his team mates 
is a blessing
when one of the boys had his arms folded under the goal
he got hit w/ the ball
before jacob started running to the other end of the court
he checked on his team mate
then they ran together
i told him we would rather him be
a good friend & team mate
than a good basketball player

* * * * * 

friends from college
checking in on the skamfam
it means so much

* * * * *

meeting the boys' art teacher
hearing her love for Jesus!

* * * * *

 a happy heart makes the face cheerful,
   but heartache crushes the spirit.

proverbs 15:13

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Words to Build a Life On - Mike Crawford & His Secret Siblings

we sang this this morning
it's long
watch it
you'll be *blessed*


These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Blessed are the poor
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak
Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain
Blessed when you’re broken
Blessed when you’re blind
Blessed when you’re fragile
When you have lost your mind
Blessed when you’re desperate
Blessed when you’re scared
Blessed when you’re lonely
Blessed when you’ve failed
Blessed when you’re beat up
Blessed when you’re bruised
Blessed when you’re tore down
Blessed when you’re used
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Blessed when you’re heartbroke
Blessed when you’re fired
Blessed when you’re choked up
Blessed when you’re tired
Blessed when the plans
That you so carefully laid
End up in the junkyard
With all the trash you made
Blessed when you feel like
Giving up the ghost
Blessed when your loved ones
Are the ones who hurt you most
Blessed when you lose your
Own identity
Then blessed when you find it
And it has been redeemed
Blessed when you see what
Your friends can never be
Blessed with your eyes closed
Then blessed you see Me
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Blessed when you’re hungry
Blessed when you thirst
Cause that’s when you will eat of
The bread that matters most
Blessed when you’re put down
Because of me you’re dissed
Because of me you’re kicked out
They take you off their list
You know you’re on the mark
You know you’ve got it right
You are to be my salt
You are to be my light
So bring out all the flavor
In the feast of this My world
And light up all the colors
Let the banner be unfurled
Shout it from the rooftops
Let the trumpets ring
Sing your freaking lungs out
Jesus Christ is King!
Jesus is my Savior
Jesus is divine
Jesus is my answer
Jesus is my life
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Give us ears that we may hear them
voice that we may sing them
life that we may live them
hope that we may give them
hearts that we can feel them
eyes that we can see them
thoughts that we may think them
tongues that we may speak Your words

Friday, January 14, 2011

Five Friday Favs

*candy cane tootsie pops*
have you had them
they are wonderful
i'm running out

* * * * * 

my new collection of scarves
who would have known this flip flop lovin lady
would enjoy scarves too?!

* * * * *

snowless *snow* days

* * * * *

paula deen's
turkey meatball pasta bake
oh yummsters
w/ salad & bread
thanks for the recipe lisa!

 * * * * *

an afterschool date w/ my favorite 1st grader
at gelati
he says it's not a date
i'm in charge though!



Thursday, January 13, 2011

he said what?!

Jenn posted about how kids say the cutest things.
well i have a story too . . . it's a short one.
tonight i was laying w/ jacob & commented on how good he smelled.
he responded
"i put LOTS of deoderant on."
pause . . . . wait for it . . .   
"doesn't that help armpit hair come faster?!"


AAAAAAAHHHHHH



NOOOOOOO!

i am so NOT ready for this!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Open For Business

After a few requests & inquiries to buy these . . .
they are now in the shop.

 I'm thrilled they are such a hit!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Friday, January 7, 2011

Five Friday Favs


The Family Reading Bible: You Can Lead Your Family through God's Word
we really LOVE this
we have been reading through John at night
i highly recommend it

* * * * *

my new flannel sheets
from the target after christmas clearance
sooooooo soft & cozy
they have stockings on them but i dont' care
i thought they were mittens
(i have pictures but can't upload)

* * * * *

my soft polka dot jammers
that appeared on our doorstep a few days before Christmas
just in time for Christmas eve . . .
& perfect for tonight as well

* * * * *

peppermint chip milkshakes
from none other than
chik-fil-a
i told the boys i would have a special snack for them
when they got home
they were thrilled w/ my choice!

* * * * *

i was missing the boys today

visiting my boys for lunch at school
cheers me up









Sunday, January 2, 2011

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010

While this has definitely been the hardest year of my life,
it has been the fullest.

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds
James 1:2

I'm so thankFUL!
God's blessings have been beyond my comprehension.

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
   I will be joyful in God my Savior
Habakkuk 3:18

My friends have multiplied.
I've said it before,
I have some AMAZING friends.
It's a gift to be a part of God's blessings
and to see how He uses His people.

I've learned more about myself,
and Our Faithful Heavenly Father
than I would had this year been an easy one.

This day is holy to our Lord.
Do not grieve,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10