A reminder

I was reminded this week of the importance of what we let influence our children.

They are watching, looking, soaking in all that is around them and it is important for me to remember to try my best to have only wholesome things surround them.

Charis and Mercy were looking through a JoAnn's advertisement and saw this picture. I had seen it but didn't give it a second glance or thought. They saw it though and came to me asking if I could do their hair like the girl in the picture. Part of me was surprised at them having noticed her and asking me to imitate her. But it was a wake up call to make sure, especially while they are so young and impressionable, to help them protect eye gate, ear gate etc. And to encourage them to strive after imitating Christ who left us an example to follow.

I did let them have their hair done like her, they were very excited but these are just some thoughts that came to mind. :)

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" 1 Peter 1:21

11/52

One evening after not napping my little buddy fell asleep in my lap at my desk.
She is my shadow, following me everywhere. If I sit ever down she wants to be in my lap - although Julia has now figured this out and will spot Mercy across the room in my lap and start toddling towards us protesting the whole way cause she wants to sit in my lap too. But that is another story. :)

Happy Friday to you all!

10/52

Heehee, so it will probably take me 2 years to post 1 years worth of self pictures here. I have been such a bad blogger lately.

Anyways, it's me getting to visit with a sweet friend and finally meet her baby in person!

Charis and her friend. :)

And these two spell trouble if you can't already tell that. ;P

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

9/52

We finally got to see the penguins!

She really enjoyed them if you can't tell. ;)

Magellanic Penguins

(and yes I did have to go double check that name!)

My crazy crew. :)

Catch up from Christmas

So I went to post something and it reminded me of the fact that I never did put Christmas pictures up. That's me, absent minded to say the least. ;)

Christmas Day at my parent's house was such a nice time together. There is always good food, Mercy especially liked eating the chocolate peanut butter with her Papa. :)

Looking back just a few months later it makes you think about things like how it was our last Christmas with Grandpa and how we didn't know who Micah was yet. Life is so fleeting.

Charis got a gift from Gigi that she really really liked. She served everyone tea from her little tin tea set. We thought we'd try something different other than a plastic or a ceramic tea set this time. It's held up so far! Here are a bunch of cute choices if you were interested.

My family recieved some new scooters which my dad and sister decided to try out. Daddy thought he'd be funny and try and cheat by pushing Mandie out of the way...well, that didn't quite work...he completely wiped out on the driveway! At first we thought it was a joke but he really did! Then he tried to cover it up and say he didn't try and push her, thing is Mom had been videoing it and had caught it on tape by accident. ahahaha! ;D

We normally tend to hang around all day and later on in the evening while the guys were playing some games together the other folks watched a movie. Then we played a few games of Apples to Apples while eating some yummy pumpkin pie. My girls don't like pumpkin pie....not one tiny bit...j/k!

So thankful to be blessed with a family to spend the day with and Savior who was and is the reason for the celebration to begin with. ♥


~ December 25, 2009 ~

Our Visit

Sister Judy has been very ill lately and not able to be at church. A couple weeks ago we were able to take them dinner and have a time of fellowship together. We enjoyed getting to see her and she was actually having a good day. Since then the Lord has given her quite a few good days and she was even able to attend church twice (of course it was the 2 days we missed because we were sick!). We thank God and pray He will restore her to us fully, very soon.

Here are just a few photos from our time together. ♥

The children love playing the organ.

happy baby girl

playing with her daddy

all the kids on daddy :)

smile

conversations

sweet silly children

Brother Chris showing Caleb their puzzle picture with the caption, "Everyone counts." because there is one missing piece. How true that when someone or even lots of someones are missing from the fellowship there is such a void, because everyone does count!

8/52

It's me (the terribly delinquent blogger) with my girls at Aunt Byrlnne's 95th birthday celebration.

My great grandmother was the oldest of 8 children. I grew up knowing all of them and their spouses. Everyone has passed now except for 3 wives of the brothers. Aunt Byrlnne was married to the oldest son, she said her own parents lived to be like 98 and 99 I believe!

She is a very sweet lady. We enjoyed getting to share the day with her. I was 8 months pregnant with Charis when we went to her 90th birthday party. How time does fly!

Happy weekend! :)