Sunday, August 28, 2016

Clementine's Dedication

 
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
 
We choose a passage from the bible for each of our children. One that we feel God impressing upon us. We may have felt it before a child is even born. Lamentations 3:22-23 is Clementine's. Clementine means mercy. We chose her name not only because it was beautiful, but because of its meaning. The Lord's mercies are never ending. He so faithful to His people, His children, the sheep of His pasture. His faithfulness to our family is great and steadfast. We dedicated our baby girl with our new church family. She wore a gown embroidered with her name given to us by a dear friend, Geniece Langford. We are constantly reminded that these little ones that God places in our family, are not ours, but His. We dedicate Clementine to be raised according to God's truth. We release her to His service. We will honor Him in leading Clementine to know Jesus, His sacrifice and the salvation that He offers. We promise to help her discover the gifts and talents that He has given her and how to use them for His glory. We will also strive to love her the way God does. She is so precious to us and ultimately to Him. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gifts." 2 Cor. 9:15
 

 


Friday, August 26, 2016

Golddust

 
 So this happened today.

We are now that family.

Meet Golddust.

I love it.
 


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Mia turns 10!!!!!

This sweetheart is 10 years old! I think she just might choose dessert our as opposed to dinner out with the family every year to celebrate. She is as sweet as the sweets she craves. She has become so much more responsible this year, learning to cook and help care for the little ones around the house. Mia loves to take of leadership roles around here (And I try my best not to take advantage of that quality.) She is the fashionista, loving everything glitzy. Although she is tough as nails against her brothers. She commands attention at home, but shys away from attention in crowds. She is curious with her questions and is sure to word her requests carefully (as to get what she wants). She is going to go far. She is making us proud every step of the way.
We love you Mia-girl!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 



 



 

 

Monday, August 22, 2016

Jude turns Two


Judah is two! Our sweet little bald headed baby turned two with a head full of curls. He is the sweetest, cuddliest toddler. He is full of life and all boy. He loves to be outdoors, so much so that he will unlock the door all by himself and let himself out. Needless to say, he keeps life interesting. He loves to play in our sand box with trucks and he loves to swing on the big swing. We celebrated the weekend before his birthday, with just family, which totaled seventeen people. The kids had a big day on the water slide on the hot summer day. We had cake and ice cream too! We love you Jude!!


 




 
We always treat the kids to a dinner or dessert out with just our immediate family. Jude and Mia shared their night with desserts from Sonic. The night was just right and we enjoyed our treats outside, under the umbrella.
 

 


Friday, August 19, 2016

This might hurt a little....

Sometimes I am bad about not listening. Actually, if you want to know the truth, its obedience with which I do not do well. Sure, if it is something to break the feel of a mundane life, I am full steam ahead. Even if it is crazy, like adopting a child when we are a single income family of seven already. I don't doubt God's goodness or faithfulness in the areas that He leads. I am always up for a great adventure. On the contrary, if I feel like its going to cause me pain, I may falter. If it might cause me to struggle within, I might act like Jonah and go the other direction, causing turmoil and discord in my converse path. A few years I began to feel a struggle within my own spirit. God was preparing me...all of us...for a good work. This good work scared me and I did not want any part of it initially. I knew there was going to be a breaking of something. I knew there was potential for heart hurts. I don't like heart hurts. I like happy. And I love being filled. I had been spiritually dry for a long time. I have tried to remedy the problem my own way for a time. Encourage change here. Be the change there. Dive in the try to plug holes that were desperately leaking until my tired hands and feet just could not reach out and plug another hole. Eventually I was exhausted from the struggle, and the Still Small Voice asks again if I was ready. "Do you trust me?" I cannot say that God made me miserable until I would listen and obey, but I certainly did. And I was just that. I was exhausted, miserable, dry and depleted. Finally in all of my frustration, waving my white flag and surrendering to His will felt easy. I allowed Him to take me from familiar, even comfortable. There was love there. I new the expectations and was meeting them. However the status quo was no longer meeting my needs, nor my family's needs. I can say "I" all day long, nevertheless I mean "us". God was not just asking me to do anything. He was asking our entire family to do this thing together. All I can give an account for, personally, are my own feelings. Alas, my feelings were not the only ones that could be affected, even bruised, or worse crushed.
 
We  had been a part of Hillcrest Baptist Church for almost ten years. This was the first real, committed church family that we ever had. We arrived with two babies in tow into welcoming arms. I will always remember the warmth. The memories that I have made will always bring that comforting feeling to my soul. God grew me in the word at this church more so than any other time in my life. He opened my eyes to what church community looked like. He introduced me to service and He certainly took me out of my comfort zone more than once. He calmed my fears as He invited me to lead bible studies for the first time. He thrust me into more leadership roles, where I discovered ways to use the gifts of organization and teaching that He has given me. It was through a brother at Hillcrest that Marcus and I were introduced to a discipleship community where we still remain active. I gained a greater sense of who I was as a daughter of Christ and more importantly I learned to hone the skill of discerning the voice of God. So when He beckoned, I knew it was Him.
 
God had been calling us to leave our church. I love that the Lord does not pressure us to step out of the boat. I should be more like Him in that respect. Instead He shows His great love by placing us in just the right place at just the right time. The stars align, so to speak. Scattered over the course of years, He placed me in the company of women whom I grew to greatly admire. Women who struggled with things that I struggled with. I met women who had adopted, which was a breath of fresh air. I met women who had large families. Women who had such dissimilar personalities as mine that I instantly felt like I needed to know them. He then placed me in a book study with a group of ladies, none of which were at my church. Many of which belonged to a church I would call my home one day. I began to feel like I could brave stepping out into an unknown. After much prayer and discussion with Marcus, we did just that.
 
When we discussed with our family, that God was guiding us in a new direction, there was an assortment of emotions. Tears, anger, excitement, and ambivalence. We understood and merely asked that they all keep an open mind. Change is hard. Marcus went to an informational meeting about City Fellowship Baptist Church before we ever attended a service. Our idea was to get a feel for the atmosphere and the set-up for our big brood. In our minds we needed them to be prepared. We walked into City Fellowship for the first time April 3, 2016. I must say we were amazed. It felt like a revival service. Our kids enjoyed it too. We officially joined City Fellowship Baptist Church on August 7, 2016 and the rest is history!
 
We still see our Hillcrest friends on Wednesday nights when our kids attend the AWANA program. They have new friends and old friends, and so do we. God has shown Himself so very faithful to us. Where my mind thought that we had to give up friendships that were very dear to us, that was not the truth. We have kept many friends and made many more. Our spirits have been refreshed and we love our new City family. God has blessed us abundantly!

Monday, August 15, 2016

Back to School


Here we are at the beginning of another school year at West Academy! It is hard to believe we have been at this thing for 7 years!!! We love the freedom of a relaxed atmosphere where its always quiet and disasters never happen...oh wait, my imagination is running away with me. We do love the freedom (to school in our pjs all day if we want), we do love the atmosphere when we are all together (we're quite a spicy combination of personalities), and we love learning. These kids are bright, determined, funny and no more awkward than the average awkward kid. They impress me daily and I do not tell them enough. We are looking forward to what this new year will bring!
 
Our curriculum is basically the same as it has been for a while.
  • We still use Math U See for math. Beta, Gamma, Zeta and Pre Algebra this year.
  • We are on our second round of Story of the World Book 2: Middle Ages
  • We are still using Apologia for Science. This year we are studying Astronomy, except for Eli. He has moved on to middle school, introductory Chemistry and Physics.
  • We also have a Christian worldview curriculum through Apologia as well. We are on our 3rd volume in the series, Who Is My Neighbor?
  • We are using lots of different curriculum for Language Mechanics and Phonics, including Abeka for 1st grade, First Language Lessons for 2nd, Analytical Grammar Jr, and Analytical Grammar.
  • Handwriting for 1st (Abeka) and 2nd (rod and Staff)
  • Spelling is Natural Speller for all grades. I have FINALLY found a Spelling curriculum that satisfies me.
  • We will also be reading a lot of classic books, writing reports and doing projects. We will also do Art with Artistic Pursuits. 







Sunday, August 14, 2016

Celebrating Daddy

 This man deserves celebrating! Dad, Daddy, Marcus, honey and babe are just some of his titles around here. He is hard working, so handsome, funny, talented, cool, calm, and he loves and leads us well....did I say handsome? We can't ask for more, but he always seems to deliver more and more.
Happy birthday, love!!! 36 looks good on you!
 

 


Saturday, August 13, 2016

Shy turns Four

 
 

Our little girl is four. Shiloh is the classic middle child, always vying for our attention. She is a leader, performer, and can't wait to be a dance like her big sisters. She is frank with her words and very animated when she is talking. She loves big! and we lover her bigger!!!!
She requested milkshakes for her birthday treat!


 
We had a small party at home with a few friends and family. Summer birthdays get the bonus of summer wet and wild parties. Thankful for friends who gifted the water slide to our family. Now we have a go-to party theme that is sure to please...if we can just keep it in one piece.
 










BFFs




Thursday, August 11, 2016

Clementine: 1 month

 Our sweet, sweet Clementine is already one month old. She is nursing great, about every two hours. She has gained every ounce that she lost right after birth and then some. She has the fat leg rolls, so I know she is doing well. She has dark blue eyes right now, but they look to be the shade of blue that changes to brown. Her hair shows lots of hidden curls that show up when she has a bath. She sleeps well and is loved by all. What a precious gift she is!
 



Sunday, August 7, 2016

Living Proof Live

I have always wanted to hear Beth Moore speak live. She has written bible studies that have taught me things I never knew, grown me in ways I would have never thought and pushed me to go deeper than I knew was possible in the Word. Clementine and I went with friends from a local church to see Living Proof Live. It was really great, although she seemed a little frazzled and all over the place. Maybe that is just Beth Moore. Nonetheless, she sis not disappoint. Clementine loved it as well. She was the best little sidekick I could ask for. 
 
 

 

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Gift

So some awesome friends asked if they could bring lunch for the family and a gift for Clementine.
 
 
The gift that will bring years of enjoyment....we hope.
Thank you, Eric and Jocelyn!!