the here + now

Yay...so I didn't really post a high school memory.  You'll deal, right?!! Oh and tonight we get a date night!!!! Link up with Rags To Stitches  Go Here ;]

There was a time we attended a different church. There was a time I prayed God would keep us there. There was a time I blamed Doug for taking me away from that church. But in time I fell in love with our current church. I fell in love with the mission of our church, I fell in love in how they were/are teaching. And then I fell in love with the people. I no longer look back at that church, wishing to be there. That church is a wonderful church. But I have learned its ok to be called to another church. And I am learning and will have to continue learning the blessings and beauty in submission to my husband. Because God lead us to our current church. To equip us. To love like Jesus, not just in word but in deed. A few weeks ago I took a prayer workshop class. It was just another reassurance that foster care is where He is leading us. I was prayed over and God revealed himself --- I was told exactly what God needed me to hear. And then this past month foster care and adop...

So who all went Late Thanksgiving and/or Black Friday shopping? And from yesterday... Oh my babies!!! Aren't they just so precious?!!!!  I am so blessed to have each of them in my life! Look at my sisters in law -- just gorgeous inside and out!   Layna Loo and me.  I've seen this girl grow up. I met her when she was around 4 years old and in February she will be 17 --- watch out world -- this girl is {already} going to make something of Jesus!!!!

You know those days where you just feel like an utter mess. Those days you think you'll never ever have it all together? Why do I feel like I just keep having those days. That every day is more of a smack in the face that I don't handle people well. I don't handle conflict. I don't seem to say the right thing ever. And yet today I'm reminded that even though I am a hot mess of a human That I have yet to fully accept His grace. I still pull back. Because of those reasons above. I feel like I will never measure up. To be "that" christian. That no matter how hard I try I will never measure up. And the truth is that is true. I never will. I need His grace, like seriously need it. Yet I keep pushing it away. I keep trying to work for His grace. Like I can't accept it until I reach some unattainable goal. And the thing is I don't even know what that goal looks like. But in my mind there is something I have to ...

Surprise, Surprise I was able to record a video since I no longer feel like death Oh and if you want an oreo cupcake get your butt over here!!! And if you're linking up for coffee date head on over to rags to stitches

Shortly after school started Alex came off the bus with a bloody nose and then it happened again. And then one day he came home and shortly after getting off the bus my baby boy started crying. And my insides caught on fire. The momma bear inside me was ready for attack. Thankfully I have a good friend and husband that helped talk me down from that. We waited. We had to remind ourselves that kids will be wild and rambunctious and even times a little more aggressive than what ours are. But the "bullying" didn't stop. No I don't think it would be really considered bulling -- but to my momma heart it is. It finally came to the face it needed to be discussed and that I would be the one talking to the bus driver. This woman that can only do what she can. This woman that is somehow supposed to safely drive all these kiddos while trying to make sure they behave. I get it. That's a tough job for serious. But something had to be said because my precious boy doesn't...

I like to do all the things. I like to make people feel at home, to feel welcome. I'd love to just spoil people, overwhelm them. I want to be like Jesus a woman with a servants heart -- pure gold. But apparently that's not always good. I guess I need to learn the word no and not today. I guess sometimes in my                               " do all the things all the time " I push people out. Tonight I received "words of wisdom" from my man regarding this. I'm not going to stay I'm going to stop doing this. There are reasons my heart yearns for this. I want to encourage others, to give others a much needed to break, to break out of my own selfishness. When I die I want to be exhausted. I want to have been pressed on every side. I want to be so done with life. I want to give with all I have. Writing this does not mean I'm going to make better choices regarding the word no Or that I am going to...

It's Friday y'all!!!!! I recorded today in my girls' room.  Join in and link up with  Alyssa

Day 7 of Thanksgiving My husband. We were high school sweethearts who married way too young. We have had to grow up together. Through it all we have remained best friends and fall more and more in love every year. I love him more than the words I can put to blog. He is the only man that would put up with my crazy. We are beyond blessed!! We were able to make it possible for him to finish school so he has a wonderful career. We have 3 children. We have a beautiful home and LOTS OF LOVE.

Today I am thankful for cuddles with my kids. I get them less and less from the twins and Addison is just not much of a cuddler so when I receive them, they are so precious to me!!

I am on day 5 of 22 days of Thanksgiving. As I was sitting at the table this morning it hit me what I'm thankful for: WARM SOCKS!! Yep -- lame but oh so true. I love warm fuzzy socks. You may be asking why I was thinking about it. Well because I need to clean my fuzzy socks - I had none clean, it's cold and my feet were freezing!! Do you love warm fuzzy socks?

Today I am thankful for my church. I am thankful my pastors are real. They share their struggles. They are so full if God's love. I am thankful that my church is very much focused on people. On helping others and be Jesus to so many. "Showing God's LOVE in practical ways" I love this. I want to live like this. I want to speak truth to others in love - not yell at them, not act holier than thou - but to be real and really share His love and His truths! I'm thankful my church doesn't just speak from the bible but lines up the old testament with the new testament and how it all applies today. I love learning more about His love, His grace, His promises and His truth!!! I love that my church has a healing center that helps people with food, find jobs, provides financial planning, helps with resources for education I love that I allowed God to open my heart to see the beauty in my church. I had wanted to attend another church and while I will always lov...

Let's start with a little back ground story. This story starts last night. I was getting everything together for today. I had it all organized and ready for the early morning. 6am rolls around and I wake up and get ready. I then start getting everyone else dressed and ready.  Rushing around to leave the house by 7am to drive 45 minutes to Alex's last football game. We get there. And something is missing. A number twenty six football jersey. Seriously how did I forget it. I blamed Douglas. And then Alex. But really I should have realized. So I started driving back to Trenton, at best I'd make it back by 9:30 when the game starts at 9. As I'm driving this song comes on. There are so many times God uses music to teach me, remind me, mold me. This happened to be one of those. Reminding this was just a little mess. I am blessed with a car, money to put in the gas and a gorgeous family that need me. So today I am thankful for...

Good Morning beautiful friends!  I am posting this from my iPhone - much easier on my computer but we're in the car headed north.  Don't forget to link your Friday Coffee Date up with  Alyssa {I'm not sure I can do that from my phone so I'll link up when we get back tonight}

I love November. I'm pretty sure it's one of my top favorite months - even more favorite than October. I love how it brings us into Thanksgiving. I love how we anticipate that first snow -- the only snow that's actually loved. I love decorating for Christmas and the occasional before Thanksgiving Christmas song. I love gathering with family. I love family love. Yes November is getting cold and sometimes getting together with family is beyond stressful -- we all have those people. Mostly I love the thankfulness -- the reminder of all that God has blessed us with. Really focusing on His greatness, His mercy, His grace in my life. I love to blog. I love to share my heart. So it only makes sense to put these two favorites together. It's 22 days till Thanksgiving which means 22 days of Thanksgiving.  I will share and please if you decided to do Thanksgiving posts let me know!! I want to read them all.  Since I am not a savvy blogger I have no idea how to...