The Kid in You

5 Minutes For Mom is having a photo contest. I thought this would be fun to enter. The contest is to post a picture of, "The Kid in you."

What brings out the kid in me? Well, Being married to this guy! We have lots of silly moments in our house like this!

The first picture is my official entry, but I just wanted to share a few others for fun.

3 months old

I can't believe my Claire is 3 months old already (may 21st). She is such a sweetheart, a very smiley, quiet baby. Here are a few pictures I took of her today. Claire has totally captured my heart...oh how I love that girl!

If you want to see more pictures go here.

7 candles

How did this even happen? I blinked my eyes, and in an instant you were blowing out 7 candles. I look at you sitting next to me with wonder. I see you blossoming and growing into a beautiful girl.

I remember the day we found out that you would be joining us, and the day we were told that you would be a daughter. Tears filled my eyes, daddy beamed with pride. He whispered to me that you would be beautiful. He could see someday walking a beautiful bride down the aisle...our future displayed before us, dolls, pretty dresses, lipstick and shoes...glimpses of good days to come.

You are my firstborn, my baby girl. After 20 plus hours of labor they laid you in my arms...I could hardly breath. I have forgotten many things over the years, but not that moment. You were here and were more beautiful then we could have imagined. With tears we praised the giver of life, for this precious gift. On May 21, 2001 our lives were forever changed; we started our journey with you.

My precious Annaliese I am so thankful that God chose you to be in our family, and that He chose me to be your mommy.

God I praise you for Anna, she is so precious to us. Thank you for making her who she is, that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. I pray that she would understand that You have made her unique and for a purpose. I pray that as she grows her love for you would grow. From a young age we have seen you plant in her a desire to spread Your good news. I pray that her heart would remain tender towards you and for the lost. Thank you God that you have gifted her with many talents, I pray that you would use those for your glory. You have given her a strong will Lord and I pray that you would direct that will and make her a strong, courageous woman of God. Thank you for the mind that you have given her the ability to remember things easily, I pray that she would use her mind to fill it with Your Word. She is such a blessing to us, thank you God.

Annaliese

7 things I love about you:
Your smile
Your desire to be helpful
Your love for music
Your infectious laugh
Your drive to learn new things
Your desire to meet new people
Your heart for those who need to hear the gospel

Happy birthday Anna. We love you so much!!

Thinking outside myself

I had arranged to meet another mom from church at the park last Wednesday for a play date. We had this planned for a few days. I don't know her very well, and Anna has been asking me to get together because she wanted to play with her daughter. It's always a little awkward getting to know someone better (at least for me) and it just happened that we got the call about Bill not getting the job a few hours before the play date. I didn't feel like going anywhere or being with anyone other then my husband, especially someone I didn't know very well. I considered calling to cancel. But, I knew I couldn't because the kiddos would be so disappointed, and something in my gut told me that I should go.

We got to the park on time (how did that happen?) and our new friends were not there. I wondered if I was at the wrong place. Within a few minutes they showed up. She apologized several times (hey, I'm not judging...I am usually late), and then explained why she had been late. She had gotten some unexpected news that was very upsetting. The kind of news that changes your life...and not in a good way. She told me that she was going to call and cancel with me, but then decided that she should still come. We spent the next hour and a half getting to know each a little better. It turned out to be a good thing for me. It got me out of the house, when I was tempted to sit around and feel sad. It got my mind off of me.

It also got me thinking. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own hurts and disappointments, or just my daily life, that I forget to look around at others. I need to think outside myself, and pray for opportunities to be an encouragement. I don't know that I was much of an encouragement to this other mom, but I listened, I told her I was sorry for what she was going through and offered to pray for her. At the moment I didn't have any words of advice...and I don't think she needed that from me. I think she just needed someone to spill her heart too. I know God had a reason for us to meet there that afternoon, and if nothing else it was to teach me. God showed me that sometimes I need to set aside my own pain to listen to someone else.

God has called us to love one another and to bear each another's burdens.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Rom 12:10

Above myself...hmmm...I wonder how many times I have overlooked anothers hurts because I couldn't get my mind off of me?

I think I'll chew on this lesson for awhile.

Moment captured #17

It was a beautiful day today, so we decided to walk to the park. I love this picture of Bill and the kids. He is such a great dad, and loves to play with them...he is a true kid at heart! :)

Claire slept in the stroller most of the time.

Moment captured #16

We went to Bill's parents tonight. Anna decided to take along her roller skates.

She needed a little help from Daddy and Papa! :)

Moment captured #15

Brothers

Say Cheese

I can't remember what Ryan was saying to James, but they were being cute! :)

I walked into the kitchen to find the boys playing nicely with their cars. What a delight that was!

Disappointment

You would think we had waited a year with how anxious I have felt. It has only been 6 days since Bill's interview. It's so hard to wait when you know the answer, whatever that answer will be, will change life. Every time the phone has rung I felt my heart leap only to be let down...oh that's not them yet.

Today the phone rang...the call came as we have been waiting for...Bill did not get the job. Bill knew in his heart by Monday that he did not get it. I however secretly held out some hope. Memories from last summer flashed through my mind when Bill told me the news. I felt my heart sink. I looked into the face of the man I loved, trying to hide my own disappointment, I said "It's ok." This wasn't the right job. We have been praying that God would give him a job that would be best for our family, and that would also bring God the most glory. I saw the discouragement cloud Bill as he explained WHY they said they didn't hire him. For the first time it wasn't the fact that he doesn't have a lot of experience, it was just they they didn't care for him. They said he wasn't enthusiastic enough. I think that hurt the most. And then seeing my husband second guess himself for answers he had given, for wondering what he could have/should have said differently. Even though I know that it wasn't the right job, it still bothers me that they didn't want to give him a chance. I know what a great man he is, hard working and dedicated...but they will never know that.

I tired to be an encouragement to him, even as I pushed back the lump in my own throat. I prayed that I wouldn't cry until he had left the room. I don't want him to think that I am disappointed in him...I am not. I am so proud of him. I am just sad tonight. I know that God has something else planned. I do wonder how long we will wait this time. How hard will things get? How many times will I have to watch Bill get rejected? How many times will I have to feel my heart break for the man I love, as he tries so hard to provide for our family. I guess there isn't much use wondering, because that will only lead me down a path of worry...and I'd rather not go there. I know my mind is already so tempted to travel that way. I can feel it trying to creep in and it sucks the breath out of me, and puts a heavy cloud of darkness on my soul.

I know that everything will be ok, but tonight I am not ok. I will be, but just not right now.

Moment captured #14

Playing at the park. I love these pictures!

Moment captured #13

Anna loves to help me in the kitchen. She asks every night if she can help make supper.

Moment captured #12

Mother's day...I have to say I am so blessed by the children and husband that the Lord has give me. Bill and the kids spoiled me all day. Thank you Bill for making me feel so loved and appreciated, not just on mother's day but all the time!

This is a picture of the rose that Bill gave to me.

This is a picture of the flowers that Anna and Ryan picked out in front of the house. They came in hands behind their backs grinning from ear to ear. Oh how I love my precious little ones.

Satisfied

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 107:8-9

Tonight I am trying to dwell on God's Word. My heart has been anxious. He has been tugging at my heart and beckoning me to lay at His feet. Praise Him that He satisfies my soul. Thank you God for the reminder that You alone are all I need. You provide for everything physical and spiritual. Thank you for filling me with good things! Thank You God that You are good all the time, no matter what!

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so... Ps. 107:1-2

Moment Captured #11

We had our sweet Claire dedicated in church today. What a blessing to raise our children surrended by a wonderful church body. Instead of a picture I am posting a short video clip from the church service.

Moment captured #10

This is James enjoying his "new" bike. He LOVES the outdoors! He has been saying for a couple of weeks, "I need a bike", because he sees Anna and Ryan riding their bikes. He was so excited when I brought one home (from a rummage sale of course) today for him. :)

Moment Captured #9

I enjoy making breakfast for my family. I usually make something the night before. Here is what I made tonight for tomorrow morning.
Cinnamon Rolls in a snap
2¼ c. biscuit/ baking mix
½ c. plus 2 T. milk

Filling:
2 T. butter or margarine, melted
¼ c. sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon

Icing:
1 c. confectioners’ sugar
2 T. milk
1 T. butter or margarine, melted
1 t. vanilla extract

In a bowl, combine biscuit mix and milk. Turn onto a floured surface; kneed 8to 10 times. Roll into a 12 in. x 10 in. rectangle. Spread with butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over dough. Roll up from a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut 8 slices, place with cut side down on a greased 8 in round pad. Bake at 450 for 10 -12 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, combine the icing ingredients, spread over rolls. Serve warm. Yield: 8

Moment captured #8

I snapped this picture this morning as Bill was heading out the door. He looks a little goofy in the pic because he was laughing at me. He had to shave the beard last night in order to start the interview process. He looks so young now. I am praying for him right now as he heads to his interview! Love you babe! You look smokin. :)