beach boys

Jacob 4 & 1/2  and Ben 2 & 1/2

missin the little days

Jacob 10 & 1/2 and Ben 8 & 1/2

lovin the bigger days too

beach boys

morning back tickles

toes in the sand
granny & poppy

lazy river

late night swims

crab legs 

aquarium

nose in a few books

sleeping in

19th floor

perfect fire work viewing

morning walks

apples to apples

sunblock galore

dunkin donut dates

lots of cuddles

miss martha

hot hot sand

karen kingsbury

turtle man

pajama wearing

ice cream sandwiches

shuffle board

dolphins

Five Friday Favs

listening to 4 school age boys

play & SING LOUD 

ring around the rosey

with the 3 year old

outside in the cul de sac

* * * * * 

surprise guests for dinner

we eat simple around here

pancakes, bacon, & fruit 

for all!

* * * * * 

sweet mini conversation w/ b

b: "Mom, say 'hey there cutie'."

me: "hey there cutie!"

b: "What's up gorgeous?"

yep, he melted me!

* * * * * 

sweet thought teacher appreciation gifts

crayon crafts, flowers, gift cards, creative

~ generous ~

* * * * * 

windows open all week

spring time

* * * celebrating * * * 

* * * crafting * * * 

 * * * gifting * * * 

* * * decorating * * *

 * * * treats * * * 

* * * picture taking * * * 

* * * car washing * * * 

here's hoping they'll return for car washing fun this weekend

as the yellow polka dots reappeared!

Happy Spring!

while taking the boys pictures

after church Easter

i noticed BOTH of their zippers were down!!

o dear

i have NO idea how long they went around like this

i just hope it happened after church!

five friday favs

green monsters 

* * * * * 

c25k

yes i'm trying

again

* * * * * 

* * * * *

finger nail polish
my fav is essie
just wish it wasn't so expensive
the $3 coupon made it a steal

* * * * *

nightly uno games on my bed with the boys
uno, then devotions, then up to bed they go!
precious time

an answer to my "whys"

i'm learning a lot these days about struggles, pain, joy, exchange, God's love & more

let me start first with the confusion i have in finding a church to plant, worship, grow, serve, etc. in.  i LOVE LOVE LOVE Hope however we just haven't found our niche.  i've taken the boys to a few other churches that i really like, we have friends at each one, and they each have choices for myself & the boys.
then i come back to hope.  i think that is truly where we need to dig our feet . . . doing it is hard.

timely that i returned to hope last week for the series "empty"

 . . . . . . . . . .

i've found my self asking "why" a lot over the past 2 years.  why would God allow my man to leave our marriage.  why am i without my best friend, Godly husband, ministry partner, etc.

i've loved the points the Lord has brought to my attention through the sermons these past 2 weeks.

* God's present in our sufferings. Job
* it's up to me to how to respond to these sufferings 1 Peter 1:7
* knowing the fellowship of His sufferings Phil 3:10
* every place of suffering is a place of exchange ~ if we are close to him isaiah 53:5
* my pain could make me a better friend to Jesus!  NEVER have i thought of it like this. (LOVE THIS ONE!)
* beauty has nothing to do with what i look like but who I am
* He who has not suffered, what does he know?


and the biggie that struck me ~

"The losses I've experienced 

may be the most powerful tools 

Jesus uses to make me beautiful"

i no longer need an answer to all my "whys".  instead i pray that i choose to rest in the ways God can use the mess & bless it.  i like that answer way better than blaming Satan.