Just a few of my favorites as of late…
Worth 1,000 Words: As of Late
Month: January 2017
Bound by the Spirit
Pain is pain…
Hurt is hurt…
Illness is illness…
Worry is worry…
Sorrow is sorrow…
Affliction is affliction…
no matter where you live or what color your skin is or what language you speak or what you do for a living or what you call home…
On the other hand…
joy is joy…
commiseration is commiseration…
sympathy is sympathy…
sympathy is empathy…
love is love…
no matter where you live or what color your skin is or what language you speak or what you do for a living or what you call home…
So thankful that the Lord gave us the ability to communicate simply through compassion. Let us love our neighbors today and everyday. Let us be bound by the Holy Spirit out of our love for Christ. Let THAT rule us. Let THAT move us. Let THAT be what motivates us.
On a day where satan so badly wants to divide us, let us let the love of Christ bind us.
Lord, may the words of our mouths, the acts of our hands, the meditations of our hearts bless you…and may you bless America.
Mesa Is Growing Up Up Up!
I had the privilege of throwing a birthday party for a SA-WEET little one year old today! I adore her and her little family and we couldn’t wait to honor her – we are so glad that she was born!
We went with a hot air balloon theme…and I’m not really sure why except that I thought it would be cute?! Is that a good enough reason??
Everything was pink and white and minty blue/green. We made hot air balloons out of paper lanterns and berry baskets and I found the cutest cloud balloons and cups to go with our dinner ware.
We made cloud and hot air balloon bunting and had it hanging in the window…
We had 12 months worth of pictures of our little sweetie hanging on the mantle…
We made giant hot air balloons out of, well, giant balloons and apple baskets! They turned out so cute!
We got to hang out with Mesa and her momma most of the day – always a treat in my book!
The kids were so excited to give her her gift and kept wanting to pose with it themselves!
She finally got to play with it and I think it was a hit!
Once the daddies got home from the sale barn, we played tea party, a few Wii games and then the real party started!
Sayble got to sit in the booster so that our guest of honor could have the high chair. Needless to say, she thought she was big stuff! I don’t think she was quiet the entire dinner!
Mesa really loved the balloons on her seat…and the pancakes, too!
We made her a hot air balloon cake and she was so cute trying to blow that candle out!
Oh, Mesa Moo…we sure do love you!
We bless the day you were born! May you embrace your role as the daughter of the Lord of the Lords, the first born, a princess of the King of Kings. We pray you run to Him all the days of your life. He is worthy of your adoration and you are worthy of His love. Can’t wait for number two!
The Calm Before the Storm
For a January day, it sure was a nice enough one! We’re all bracing for a nasty snow and ice storm that’s supposed to roll in tomorrow, but today? Today was pretty pretty. (I think the lack of wind helped as much as anything!)
Sayble has been dying to go outside since she’s gotten her wheels under her, but it’s been REALLY cold prior to today.
As dad got ready to head outside to do chores, Sawyer and Wryder wanted to go to. Well, once Sayble saw them suit up, she sure wanted to join in the action. We got her all bundled up and out and the door we went!
I bet she walked a good mile or more this morning, quite a ways with her little legs!
Of course, we had to stop and pet the doggie…
and the kitties…
and haul one around…
We spent some time at the park with brother and sister…
then we spent a little time swinging before heading inside for a peanut butter sandwich!
Who knows what this weather will actually bring…but we took advantage of today!
A Little of This, A Little of That
The kids got Wendy’s coupons for free Junior Frosties a while back and we decided to use those puppies for Fun Friday!
****************
Earlier this week, as we were rushing around getting ready for Awana/Cubbies, I looked at the calendar and with about 12 minutes to spare, saw it was a “crazy hair day.” Normally, we would fall under that category anyways but we wanted to go with something a little more purposeful.
We decided upon a donut..on a donut plate. I made a quick bun and an even quicker donut frosting with sprinkles out of foam. (Have I told you how much I love foam?? LOVE that stuff.) Thankfully, this had a sticky back and we stuck it right to her hair!
Of course, with all the picture taking, Wryder wanted in on the action.
One handsome rascal! He picked out his entire outfit all by himself. Swoon.
****************
We got a new game for Christmas called “Life on the Farm.” The kids couldn’t wait to bust it out and it really is fun to play, for a couple of country kids especially. You get to buy and sell cows for the most part – right up dad’s alley, too.
Dad had spread himself kind of thin and had to pass up an opportunity to buy cows for a really cheap price.
Sawyer: “Wait, why in the world would you pass on a cattle auction?”
Oh, yes, a girl after her daddy’s heart…
****************
We’ve started school again (after a lengthy and well-deserved Christmas break). This time around, Sayble is only napping once a day instead of two, so we’re all trying to figure out what that looks like as far as school (and mom’s sanity) goes.
Lately, there’s been a lot of this:
This sweet little thing LOVES to write! As long as we can keep it on paper, I’m A-ok with that!
****************
Over New Year’s, we all traveled to North Platte to do some post-Christmas shopping/errand running and Wrexy insisted on pedicures for the girls! (We didn’t object much!)
Sawyer had her first one before her 5th birthday and has loved them ever since!
****************
We also took a tour of the Perkins County Museum! It’s in a beautiful, historic home right off Main street and she’s been wanting to go in for a while. That morning, I just happened to see that they were open so I surprised her with a visit!
It was really neat and our tour guide was just as sweet as pie! So many cool things to see but I loved the old school house, but didn’t get a picture. What the what?!
****************
We have the privilege of throwing a sweet one year old’s birthday party this next week! I’ve been working on cutting and stringing and all kinds of little paper crafts. I can only give you a sneak peek for now but I’ll make sure and post lots of pictures after the fact!
****************
It feels like we’re getting back into our routine again after the holiday season. We’re currently bracing for a snow/ice storm that we’re all hoping isn’t as bad as the meteorologists are predicting. I’m hoping to get get my fair share of football games in if the electricity will stay on!
Farm Fun
Our sweet neighbor – who takes care of things when we are out of town, helps us thaw frozen pipes, rescues me when my battery is dead…seriously, he’s a saint – invited the kids over the other day for some farm fun!
There are new baby lambs on the place so we had to go check them out!
Sayble loves having her wheels under her and just wanted to explore!
We are so thankful to have such wonderful neighbors!
Family of the Spirit
Oh, my heart. The bestie and the adoptive momma, Nonna, came to visit earlier this week. They hadn’t been out to our new home and with 3 kids, 3 and under, it was quite a feat! That’s how much she loves me, people.
The kids had a good time being wild and wooly together! Wryder and Eva teamed up quite a bit being that they are both three. Day one, she thought he was wonderful! Day two, the new had worn off a bit and she clung to Sawyer most of the day.
There was lots of book reading and stroller pushing and game playing. Dessa mainly ran back and forth from basement to the main floor as she shuffled kids from place to place. That girl was busy!
Nonna is always a hit amongst the grandkids, mine included. She has this knack to see people…and not just with physical eyes…but to see them and get them and call the best out in them. Ask me how I know. The kids are always drawn to her sweet and melodious voice, her loving eyes and open arms. Plus, she has this ability to make each kid feel like they are the most important person in the room. She always takes the time…
It was so nice to have them here, even for just a few short days. These women are two of my most trusted allies, my biggest cheerleaders and staunch encouragers. They are women of deep and abiding love, full of Godly wisdom, brimming in grace and mercy. They have had a HUGE hand in making me who I am today by loving me and mentoring me in my impressionable twenties.
I woke up crying yesterday morning, knowing they would be leaving and it didn’t get much better the rest of the day. These women have been my sister, my mother, best friends, baby deliverers! They make me desire to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, ministry partner, lover of Jesus. Their love is deep and true and though we talk and text and email, I miss the days of seeing them multiple times a week…the family dinners…the birthday celebrations…the Bible studies…the long talks…the sense of family that was just right down the road instead of a state away.
The beautiful thing with the family of the spirit, is that the Holy Spirit binds you tighter than any amount of physical proximity can. These ladies are in my heart.
They’ve Been At It Again
I’ve written several times before about funny things the kids say. I’ve had a growing list on my phone so I decided I better get them on the blog so they can live in infamy! 😉
Wryder-isms:
- Boobie button = belly button
- “Look! I can see Sayble’s boobie button!”
- Lucas = mucus
- “I’ve been swallowing a bunch of lucas.”
- Flushel = shuffle
- “That is so cool! When I can learn to flushel?”
- Gutter = udder
- “That cow has a big gutter!”
****************
Other funnies he’s said lately…
He and Sawyer were playing Awana and practicing the pledge to all the different flags. They starting pledging the Bible and while Sawyer was saying, “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word…” Wryder was saying, “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, Bob’s Holy Word!” I about busted a gut…and then wrote new lesson plans to go back to the basics of our Bible study time.
***************
Sawyer has her fair share of funny/interesting observations. She was telling Wrex about how bad the feedlot stunk one day and she said, “It smelt as bad as your poop!” Wrex looked disgruntled, as he thinks the only legacy he’s leaving with the kids is how bad he smells. Sawyer saw his face and was afraid she hurt his feelings, so she quickly recanted, “Ok. It didn’t smell THAT bad!” I loved her “apology!”
****************
Wrex was not feeling 100% one day after work and I was asking how much water he’d had that day (because it’s usually not much). He began explaining that that might be the case. He said, “I shouldn’t have gotten pop earlier but I stopped to get gas and they were” and before he could finish, Sawyer chimed in, “worth it!” They come by their love for pop honestly, trust me…
****************
I’m SURE there have been others, but these are the ones I’ve taken note of in my phone lately. I’m also certain that little Say will have her named added to these lists of hilarity in short order!
New (Eaglet) Life!
We have had more fun checking on the eagles (via live cam) in Florida who were incubating two eggs. We checked in on Harriet (the mom) and M15 (the dad) several times a day and finally got to see their sweet baby Saturday morning!
You have to love modern technology when it comes to stuff like this. Very cool to watch the eaglet pip out, break all the way out of his shell and then be fed and cared for by mom and dad.
New life is always miraculous, whether through birth or hatching. I can’t help but awe over the majesty of the Creator…
We’re still waiting on the other egg but are starting to wonder if that one has a sweet little eaglet or not… Either way, this has been SO very fun!