The girls

Ok, so it has been almost 3 months since my last post. It's amazing how life can get going and the holidays can interupt your normal rythm. Anyway, I am going to attempt to catch up on the last few months over the next few days.

Carlye and I surprised Chris for Christmas by get our pictutes taken and framing them for his office. They turned out so good! My good friends, Libby and Tammy Neu, are up and rising photographers and did an amazing job for us. I think they have found their gifting! Thanks, girls. These are just a few of my favorites...

Surprise!

This past weekend my husband released me from my responsibilities at home, to join with the "Boutique for a Week" girls in Winter Garden for the best kids sale EVER!! It was amazing. If you did not get in on the fun (you still can!), I'll be posting more on that later. I want you to see what you missed out on! It was incredible. Anyway, back to my post. My husband served me heroically by caring for our three sick kids. I expected to come home to a very tired husband and messy house! Although the house was not messy, my husband was tired. But not only did he hold down the fort and care for our kids, he surprised me with a huge blessing. Somehow, he managed to take the kids to Ikea by himself (and no he did not drop them off in the "kids zone" to play) and give my laundry room a complete makeover! I was SHOCKED!! Thanks, Babe. You are the best! I have never been so excited to wash clothes! Love you...

Blanket Time

I have always been overwhelmed at the thought of teaching my kids how to stay on a blanket. Anytime I talk to a mom that has taught their child to stay on a blanket for more than 30 seconds, I come away thinking, "that will never happen in my house!" Well, I was wrong. But this is not a story about a mom that is disciplined to train her children in self-control...not at all. This is the story of a father who has been diligent and consistent to train his little sinners to obey. God has been so kind to me in giving me Chris to lead me and teach me how to teach my kids to obey. He does such an amazing job! This does not come without many reminders and many spankings when they forget, but it is working very well. I am amazed how Jack and Carlye love to know their boundaries. These are a few pictures I took this morning during "blanket time".

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Today is my loves birthday. I am so grateful to God for creating him and bringing him into this world 27 years ago. I can't believe God made him not only for His glory, but he created Chris to be my very own. I could not have dreamed of a better man to love and lead me to be a more godly woman. He is constantly washing me with the word and encouraging me in such meaningful ways. I am celebrating his life today and rejoicing with great joy that he is in my life and we get to live our lives together. I love you.

Brian wants to say some things too:
- I like when daddy reads the Bible to me.
- I like when daddy stays with us when mommy's away.
- I like when we go to the beach together.
- I like when daddy plays with the babies and me.
- I like it when daddy gives me hugs.
- I like when we play video games together.

I love you, daddy!

Ready to Go

God has blessed me with an opportunity to go on a retreat with two of my dear friends over the next few days. I have been praying and asking God to allowing this time to refresh me, draw me closer to him and grow me in my knowledge and understanding of my calling as a women. I am so excited! In order for me to go away, my husband is graciously releasing me from my duties at home and he is TAKING OVER! Yes, I know you are thinking, "He is amazing!" And you are correct, he is so amazing. He is actually excited for me and looking forward to how God will speak to me.

I really want these next two nights to be a blessing for him. So, I have been busy cooking and baking yummy food to leave behind. I also went to a friends house and "rented" some war movies for him to watch. I think he is really going to like it!

Homemade Salsa
Cookies

Spaghetti