A Change in Perspective

I started attending Community Bible Study three weeks ago.  Currently, we are studying the book of Ephesians, which is also known as the "Joy Book".  Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul to his friends in Philippi during his imprisonment in Rome.  Throughout my study over the past three weeks, I have come to understand that Paul maintained a joyful attitude despite his situation and surroundings because of his dependence on God.  Paul's confidence that God will continue to work in and through him until his work is completed compels him to be joyful always.

What God initiates he intends to finish and he never gives up on us despite our imperfections.

That should give us complete trust and confidence to be joyful no matter what is happening in our life.

How amazing would it be to have Paul's joyful attitude?

Sure, I can wake up each morning with the best intentions and then little by little I allow the situations I encounter to erode away at my joyful attitude.  How can I prepare myself to face these situations that I know I will occur? 

By being intentional about giving thanks for everything that God has given me.

I intend to keep a journal of thanksgiving and at the end of this year, I fully expect that God will have worked in my life and others will recognize the change.

 

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 1:6

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Go Racing

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Sept. 2, 2012

Our two resident race fans

The McDonalds car

Before the race....pictures from their seats.

Nick is our Jeff Gordan fan and was hoping for a repeat win from last year.

The race ended with an exciting Green...White...Checker.

Unfortunately there was not a repeat win for Jeff Gordan, all though he did come in 2nd!

Our guys had a great day and were blessed to enjoy another race together.

Next year, our budding race fan (AKA Matthew) would love to tag along!

 

 “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust”

 Psalm 40:4

 

 

 

 



9 Years Old Today

Happy 9th Birthday to our beautiful Emily.

Nine years ago today, we couldn't have been more excited to welcome our first little "Pink" bundle of joy into our family.  You were born right after 9:00 am on Sept. 2nd, 2003 at Sewickley Valley Hospital.  Your first visitors were Nana and Aunt Laura who were thrilled to see our sweet bundle of joy.

We enjoyed celebrating you last night!

We love your quiet spirit and sweet heart.

We are so proud of you.

You love the Lord, your family, and friends.

You work hard, try your best, and demonstrate an eagerness to always learn something new.

You are helpful and kind.

 

 

Dear Emily,

We are so proud of the decisions you have made this year.  Choosing to tell others that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior is the best decision you will make.  We look forward to seeing the wonderful ways that God will use you this year to bring others closer to him.

We love your sweet heart.  You are a wonderful sister and friend.  You are always looking for a way to brighten the day of someone.  We pray that you will continue to seek God as you face new situations and decisions this year.  That you will act in a way that will cause others to want to find out why you live your life in the manner that you do.  That you will be joyful always and be gratious and thankful for everything that you are presented with each day.

 

We love you!

Happy 9th birthday.

 

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance”

 2 Thessalonians 3:5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke is 3 Months Old

I'm sure I will feel like this every month, but seriously where does the time go?  You are three months old today!

weight- 10 pounds 13 ounces (You were weighed at the doctor on Friday)

You are wearing size 0-3 months and size 3 month oneies from Carters.

You are in size 1 diapers and will probably move up to size 2 when we have to buy them again.

You still like to eat every 3 hours during the day. 

At night you are sleeping from around 9:00-3:30 am, then you wake to eat and go back to sleep until 6:30am.

You don't like the car seat much at all, which is not working out too well since we have to drop off and pick up your siblings from school everyday.

You're still a spitter.

We are starting a new prescription today for your reflux.  I am hopeful that it will make you feel much better.

I have given up dairy for the time being per suggestion of your doctor to see if you have a milk protein allergy that is causing you to be very fussy.

You still love to sleep swaddled tightly.

You love your swing.

We are letting you try out the bumbo seat everyday and you like it for a few minutes.

 

Luke,

We love seeing how your personality is starting to emerge more and more each day.  You are cooing and giving the ever occasional smile.  You have been going into Waamba Land at church and this week we are starting CBS (Community Bible Study).  I am so thankful that you will grow up learning about God's love for you and learning to hide his word in your heart.  You complete our family.  Your brothers and sisters just love to hold you and talk to you, as long as you aren't crying or spitting up!  I thank God each morning that He chose me to be your Mom.  I pray that He will guide me to raise you in a manner that will bring Glory to Him and that you will come to trust Him as your Lord and savior.

Love, Mom

 

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."

Psalm 63:7-8

 

 



Bear Hollow Zoo

Saturday morning, the kids decided they really wanted to go somewhere today.  So, we found this great little animal park in Athens.

Bear Hallow Zoo is part of the Athens Park/Recreation System and is free to the public to enjoy.  They offer the animal park, a pond, trails, pavilions, and play park for your enjoyment.

 

In the background you can see Matt's all time favorite animal.....

 

Looking at the turtles

On our way to see the

Momma bear and her

cub

 

two of our cubs!

We enjoyed our trip to Bear Hollow Zoo

 

"The Lord will guide you always."
Isaiah 58:11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're in the Army Now

Adding Luke to our small army of children has made Brett and I reconsider a lot of the ways we were doing things around the house.  Nights can be very chaotic between making dinner, picking up the older boys from football practice at two different schools and two different times, homework with 5 kids, baths/showers, and the bedtime routine.  We are still tweaking the schedule every night to make it all work.

A few nights ago, I came downstairs to find this scene unwinding in the kitchen.

This is the dessert line.

We have discovered that without a routine and a good amount of structure, it can get out of hand very quickly.

Brett is better about executing and keeping the structure in our routine.

 

 

 

The End Result Is...

Happy Kids and Happy Parents

 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy 4th Birthday Kate

Four years ago today, our sweet and sassy Kathryn (aka Kate) came into our world.

This is our girl today on her 4th birthday

She celebrated her birthday for the first time today with her school friends.  Her teacher, Ms. Kim made her this purple crown.  When I went to pick her up from school, Ms. Kim brought her to the car and said, "I wish you could have seen her face when we put this crown on her, it was priceless."  We took cupcakes to school for her to share with her friends and she got to pick a goody bag from Ms. Kim's birthday box.

I spent part of the day while she was at school, decorating our dining room for her birthday celebration.

 

My sisters always do a photo display of the birthday child, so I decided to give it a try this year.  Kate loved seeing the pictures of her.

 

 

"Many, O Lord, my God, are the wonders you have done."
Psalm 40:5