Saturday Morning fun

The kids are enjoying some homemade playdough fun. The girls enjoyed having a friend stay over night and they talked until 2am. Everyone is taking a nap today or their will be grumpiness everywhere.
Earlier Today Holly came and told me that Ayla was being grumpy with her and that she figured that it was because she was tired. She said she worked it out and forgave her.
Last weekend we where given an extra children's Bible and I wasn't sure who to give it to since the girls already had one. Liam was standing by me so I asked him if he wanted it. His face lit up and he ran off to share with everyone. Then he told me that it was Bible time and then he asked me to sit down with him. In my mind I was thinking I need to finish cooking the playdough....I stopped and sat down next to him. He opened the Bible and said Mom now I'm going to read it to you. He opened it and sat their in quietness...just looking at the page...Mom what does it say...I started to read and he repeated every word after me. Then he told Silas to be quite because it was Bible time. The whole time we sat down was only about five minutes. And to think of what I would have missed if I put what I was doing first. This is a daily battle and without the Lords help I would miss out on so much. It is my prayer that Liam will come to love the Word of God and treasure it.

Philip. 4:12

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. " Philip. 4:12



This season in our life hasn't been easy but I have found joy that I would not have had if not for the season we are in. I have spent lots of time in prayer and God squeezing the pride or shame out of me. I've wanted to hold back and then I lack the joy I know I have in Christ. Although this week has been hard in wondering how God will meet our needs he continues to show us. I'm learning that we don't have to have the same thing for breakfast every morning...I'm learning to use what we have and use up what we have...I never would have made those breakfast muffins if I did say I have to use those up.... I looked up a recipe and the kids loved them...I need to say God teach me in this season and pull me into humility and honesty and take away not pride and hiding because of the shame I may feel. It's about you and glorifying you not being focus on what man thinks. Thank you for bringing me to a place where I can see my sin and turn from it so I can bring glory to you. You can even use a silly little thing like a muffin to bring glory to your name. Now I can find joy and thankfulness in what God has done.
This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Here is the muffin recipe:

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup quick cooking oats 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 cup milk 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana

1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2.	Combine 1 cup flour, oats, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and baking powder. Whisk together milk, peanut butter, banana, egg, oil, and vanilla. Add banana mixture to dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Fill prepared muffin cups 3/4 full.
3.	In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup flour, melted butter and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Sprinkle topping evenly over muffins.
4.	Bake in preheated oven for 18 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2010 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 7/8/2010

Preparing for the 4th of July

Ayla had a wonderful idea to make some things for the 4th of July. So this morning right after breakfast she got to work and everyone else joined in.
Ayla is showing one of 5 flags, neck less, and bracelet that she made for her friends and sibling to wear during the fireworks. She was very thoughtful to include Holly and Liam too. It's such a blessing to see her desire to put others first.




Holly spent her time making a butterfly's and a flag. It was a struggle for her to make a butterfly and she spent some time in tears because she didn't think she could do it good enough. We ended up talking together about how we need to be thankful that God has given us hands to work with. After we spent sometime in prayer she seemed to cheer up.

Silas had his own idea going on in his head this morning. Ended up emptying all the things off the game shelf in the garage and found the spin and paint. While I filled the paint bottles for him he found some pom poms to put into the spinner. Liam kept telling him that he couldn't do it because that wasn't what it was for.
Once Silas got started painting he didn't want to stop and Liam kept wanting a turn so we had some sharing teaching moments.

Silas eyes filled with tears and he wanted to have another turn. It seems like the boys are leather playing well or having a battle over something.

One funny thing the kids and I discovered is that when the spinner is on and you take a picture you can see your painting. Usually you just keep it spinning and then you see the picture at the end. Their is something new to learn everyday.
It was so much fun this morning to do some art together that I think I'm going to plan it into our schedule. Like one Saturday a month do a family art project or art time. I really enjoyed this special time with the kids this morning.

After the boys went down for a nap the girls and I enjoyed a movie. As we watched it I had to explain some things that weren't true. We talked about who wrote the movie and what they believe in because of how it was written. Ayla said mom the person who wrote it could be a believer??? I then asked her that if that was true then a believer would want to write about Christ and not about something false. She responded by say yes that is true. And we talked about how even the devil believes in God and that he likes it when people are happy to not believe in God. Although I'm tired, I'm thanking God for the many teaching moments that he brought my way today. It's amazing what you see when you write and reflect on it.
The girls asked what the 4th of July was all about so we read about it before bed. And we found out that the first 4th of July took place 234 years ago. (July 4, 1776)

Without the gospel everything is useless and vain

“Without the gospel everything is useless and vain; without the gospel we are not Christians; without the gospel all riches is poverty, all wisdom folly before God; strength is weakness, and all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God.

But by the knowledge of the gospel we are made children of God, brothers of Jesus Christ, fellow townsmen with the saints, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, heirs of God with Jesus Christ, by whom the poor are made rich, the weak strong, the fools wise, the sinner justified, the desolate comforted, the doubting sure, and slaves free. It is the power of God for the salvation of all those who believe.”

—John Calvin, preface for Pierre Robert Olivétan’s 1534 French translation of the New Testament

A long update

School ended and now it's free time!!! Not really free and I had to define what that was going to look like so I'm wise with the time God has given me. It has been a struggle to keep up with a regular schedule since school has been out. Our first days without school started with the girls jointing a local swim team and needing to be at practices 4 nights a week. The first practice was a struggle for the girls but they worked through them as we talked and prayed together and made some changes. Both girls had their first meet a couple weeks ago and it was a wonderful but challenging experience for them. One of the many blessing from it was cheering them on as they raced and pushing them beyond what they thought they could do. And during their practices I have had some opportunities to talk about Christ and fellowship with other believers.
The other day the kids came with me to a meeting that had a pool and the girls jumped right in with no questions. We had another opportunity to spend more time at a pool with some friends that gave the girls an opportunity to encourage someone else. The girls didn't really notice it until It was turned into a teaching moment on the way home. I told them how they encouraged their friend with what they learned from their own swimming and how we can glorify God in those situations. Being apart of the swim team has stretched us all and it's been a blessing to be apart of.

Liam has gone to a different level in how he responds to doing what is right. He is smarter and trying to get away with more. Like saying, " Mommy can I watch a video" not now...when you read your Bible...no..no more asking...the list goes on, We have had up the consequences so he understands what is right and what is wrong more clearly. The other day we where at his first dentist appointment and he threw a fit. ( he didn't want anyone else to play the video games in the lobby) I then had to pray to myself for wisdom so we said the verse together," obey your parents in the Lord for this is right" after we said it together he claimed down and then his name was called. My heart was then beating a bit slower and thanking God for the quick response. And Liam is now 100% potty trained...we started in Sept.and stopped and started again. As the candy was gone for the pee I added hot wheels for poop and he was so motivated. He would run to the potty and said mommy I'm going to get a new hot wheel. One day he went 3 times and was pleased with all those hot wheels. Liam is growing up so fast and is excited about doing preschool work with the girls this next year. I told him about his book tonight and he just lit up and told the girls all about it. Out of all 4 Liam has been the greatest challenge for us and the one that keeps mommy praying for more patience.



Silas loves to test and test and test...he thinks he is so cute with that grin and then he does something a second time after I have told him no. He has gotten new consequences and gives me a strange look afterwords but it's a blessing that he responds well the first time. And he has found a new place to play...yes you guessed it the toilet. He has been the only kid that has really played in it with a cup, Yuck!! And he loves to eat and drink like a dog. Yes, he has eaten dog food several times when I wasn't looking. When he eats his cereal he puts his whole face in the bowl and licks it all up. We need to work on the table manners but that will come in time. Silas loves to copy his big brother in everything which makes double work for the both of us. Sometimes I'll be disciplining Liam when Silas turns and does the same thing. Both of the boys keep us busy with the screams and yelling that boy do. ( boys are very loud!!!) I'm so thankful that God has given us boys last because he now I'm so much more laid back and don't mind the mess or the noise as much. I end up preaching to myself by saying, "Is what they are doing really wrong or is it just me feeling bothered by it?" Most of the time it ends up being my selfishness and then I end up praying for God to help find joy in their playing.





Holly just lost one of her front teeth and got her first pair of glasses. I don't think I've ever seen someone so excited about glasses. She loved sitting in the chair to try them on and is very careful to take care of them. Holly has also struggled with her coach on her swim team. It's his first year teaching the group and she talks about how he doesn't say nice things to the other kids. We have watched how things are and we have had some great opportunities to talk about fears and how we can ask God to help us. These struggles have given Holly opportunities to ask for prayer. Holly has gone from being fearful to just saying Mommy I don't think he knows the Lord because of how he talks and treats the other kids. We have had some great teaching opportunities on how we can show love to others and how we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. God uses Holly daily to remind me of what I need to be doing. It's like having someone turn around and put a mirror right in front of you and you see yourself and your ugly sin. It's not easy to see, but it turns out to be a blessing when God has given me the self control to stop and recount the steps I took.

Ayla is growing, growing, and maturing daily. She loves to help out and I am guilty of not letting her help out more. Lots of the time I want the control and I think that I can do it better. I have had to swallow my pride so many times and also apologize and do a replay on how to do it right. Ayla is so great with the boys and is that extra helping hand that is needed to encourage the boys to do what is right. When she tries it with Holly it doesn't turn out well, that is something we have to work on daily. I find myself reminding her that she isn't the parent many times and we talk about how God wants us to encourage the other to do what is right without sounding like parent. Ayla is so great at including others and understanding how our relationships best please God.


David and I have had some extra time together and time as a family as he continues to look for more work. The verse that has filled my thoughts has been, "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Phip.4:12
It is a privileged to go to the Word of God and find comfort, peace, and rest in knowing that God is in control of all things. He has displayed himself beyond what words can describe and I would have it no other way than to be where I am today. Yes, I do wish I would have done things differently but quickly have to let go of those things because I don't want to over look what God has done and is doing. I want to glorify him in all ways. I'm so thankful for the marriage, the children, and friendships he has graciously given. All the glory goes to him alone.
1 Cor. 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."
Colo. 1:29 " For this I toil struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works in me."

Pictures and Two Word

Gak Fun

Happy Birthday

laughing laughing

cutting hair

Volcano erupting

dirty feet

dirty hands

 clean bubbles

swim lessons

Family WII

Papa visit

 Nana Loves

Holly teaching

loving Grandma

 A cookie

 loving Daddy

Working Creatively

 Fun Fun

 funny painting

 lets eat

New Dog

Dog fun

 Dog cuddling

new roof

Trusting in the Lord and Waiting upon Him ( Old post from April something???)

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
Psalms 37:5

David had no income for three weeks and God provided a way.  Our car that was no longer working sat in our drive way and we planned on selling it in time.  Well someone knock on our door and said they did car body work and said they would like to work on our car.  We said no thank you because we are selling it.  They said that they might want to buy it so they might come back. Well they did come back and paid cash the next day for it. God provided for our needs.  David got an unexpected check from a past film that he did so God saw our needs and provided.  I've been over joyed to see what he has done and I wanted to share it.

What is contentment? ( old post from April???)

Contentment has been the lesson that God has wanted me to learn the last 3-4 weeks.  I don't want anything to sound like I'm complaining...I have been over joyed ( not every minute) at what God is teaching me about being content really means...when I got the call from David that the car was broken my first reaction wasn't thankfulness...I quickly jumped to oh no!! Now I'm limited to what I can do. (spring break was the next week) .God was so faithful to remind me of where my true joy and happiness comes from and he reminded me a couple people who live with one car on a daily basice...I was quickly drawn to prayer when I was humbled by those thoughts. And the blessing of it all is that we do have another car coming to us from some family who have a used car they offered us a couple months ago.  God knows all thing and already had everything planned out.  The waiting has been hard at time but God has kept me busy with sick kids for the last three weeks so we had to be home any how.  It's been a real bless like God is always faithful to do.  Now that everyone is well we are enjoying the things we have and being creative with being at home. Liam is getting a great handle on potty training and has almost accomplished it.  David is off another week because his new job started a week later than we thought.  We have had some great family time together.  My birthday fell in their somewhere among all these things.  Learning to be happy and content with what God has given us has been a big lesson.  I was praying this morning that God would show me what is a want and what is a need.  I am so quick to think a want is a need and I get so confused.  It's looking at the motives of my heart and preaching the truth to myself.
     Ayla has had a love for all the snails and slugs in the backyard the last couple weeks.  She keeps telling me how she made a home for them with mud, rocks, dog food, and water.  Then she was upset because one of them got out and she didn't know where it went....the story goes on..within the last two days she told me how she stabbed one of them with a  stick and was the ...I think you can picture what I'm saying...after I called her in to write her paragraph she just keep gong on and on about the slugs I told her that she could write about them.  We spent some time learn more about them and then she wanted to know how they made babies...I was like oh oh okay...I found and educated video and shared it with her and then we ended everything with a talk about how God makes a family.  It was a really blessing the way it all came about because I have been praying about these things and God made a way.  Right after we where done talking she ran outside to be with her slugs and yelled for me to come outside.  When I came out she showed some slug eggs that she found...It was such a blessing that God provided the eggs for her to see.  Now she says that she is going to watch them hatch over the next couple weeks...

 This is what snail eggs look like and Ayla did watch them and saw little snails over the next couple of weeks.