It's tough being a princess...

when the world doesn't know it, therefore not getting you a big enough carriage!

And therefore I will have hope...

Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

² May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

³ May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah

⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

⁹ O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!

Catching up with us on a day at home...

Here's just a glimpse into our day...and a few other days (it's been a while since I've posted pictures).

My fall centerpiece with my warm, yummy candle...



My beautiful flowers by the kitchen sink...thanks Jenni and Burk; Tuesday was fun!
They make doing dishes just a little easier



Sophie playing with Mrs. Potato Head...
(The closest you'll get to seeing her smile at a camera)



AJ loves the camera



Sophie and AJ playing Mrs. Potato Head



AJ is getting to be such a big boy, sitting up!



My day always includes waiting on the LORD and His perfect timing for what He has in store!



Getting ready for nap time!



If mommy does projects, why shouldn't Sophie?

Just feeling a little Melancholy...

He's growing way too quickly...

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday was a beautiful day. In October, that means a great day for us to go with our favorite Aunt "Maime" to the pumpkin patch! We just love her and are so excited that next year there will be a little cousin to join us. No doubt there will also be cheesy, matching shirts too!

Sophie did such a great job navigating the child's hay maze



Sophie wouldn't cooperate, but Amy and I saw a great picture opportunity!



All of us!



Mommy and AJ and independent Sophie who was too cool to sit by mommy and the way to get the pumpkin!



Now lets see...
(This was her choosing before we rode out into the field to find the perfect one!)

Life these days...

I haven't posted in a while. It's hard to have the time or the desire. I'm not really sure what to post about. Our kids are doing well and we're not sure what our life the next little bit even holds. Josh is finished at Berean on the 29th. Our ministry there is wrapping up. 3 and a half years. We are excited for God to show us where to next. We are sad to say goodbye to friends. We are hopeful that, soon, everyone will start acting supportive and stop judging our actions. Because of financial reasons of the church and the lack of students, we know God is telling us to start new somewhere where He will show us. It has been confirmed in meetings with the leadership. October will be a long month. It is time.

We are "in the running" at 4 churches right now, all of whom are at different stages in their search. Our house is on the market. These things change how all of life is viewed. My calendar is a lot emptier, my mind a lot more full. I am quite uncertain so therefore I will call these truths to mind:

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" Ephesians 1:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Psalm 16:9

"asking my Lord to hold both my hands and guide me as I live this life not fully understanding what I am doing and feeling thankful that He knows the condition of my young heart."
--An excerpt from my friend Katie's blog (http://zunigafamily7.blogspot.com/)

Counting My Many Blessings...

Today, we're having a home day. Mostly so I can catch up! As I'm cleaning and picking up, my mind is filled with my many things that I can be thankful for. I have many more, but this is just a small list that I've been thinking on. Hopefully this encourages you as the Lord is encouraging me!

1. My healthy family

2. My 2 kiddos that love me unconditionally

3. My husband who loves me, is patient with me, who provides for me

4. Our house that is our home and provides shelter

5. Our many things to clean up

6. The food that I got to bring home from the grocery store

7. The loving friends that surround us

8. The car that gets us places safely; we don't have to walk unless we want to

9. Josh's job that provides money for our needs

10. The Lord's great salvation and Heaven that He is preparing for me!

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."

Lamentations 3:21-26

"Not Me" Monday...

So, as we are trying to manage two kids and get our house market ready and live life, I have had a lot of "not me" moments! If you would like to play along, simply go to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/.

Here we go:

I did not tell my two year old to play in her room, by herself, this morning because it was too early to get up. Nope! For sure, that wasn't me! And then when, after an hour, she asked to come out shove my husband out of bed to get her! Nope. Not me. I then didn't sleep for another hour, skipping my morning run and use the excuse that we were overwhelmed with house projects and it would be too hot anyway...as the wind was blowing. No. I would never do that!

I did not use a late check we got for AJ's birthday for lunch out today because it's the end of the month and we're out of food. That would be terribly wrong! No way! And when not getting this food, I most certainly did not take my daughter with me to go get it when she was still in her jammies and I had no make-up on! That would not be me!

I did not take my children on 2 walks today in the heat, because I felt guilty for skipping my morning run. That would be a bad idea! Not me! I did not have a bad idea for walking towards the sun so it was in my kids eyes and gave Sophie a sunburned cheek. Not me!

I did not rejoice when my husband took our daughter to Costco with him. No there was absolutely no jumping! Not me! I did not lay my son down for tummy time and let him cry just so I could Facebook and blog. Oh goodness! Never me.

As I picked AJ up, carefully because he was now asleep, I did not have to pick a cheerio and pine needle off his precious face because he was in the family room and I need to vacuum. No! Not me! I always have vacuumed floors.

And on this Monday that has been a crazy one, I most certainly never never thought back to what it was like before children and smile. Oh I would never do that! Not me!

John

John the fish was Sophie's first pet. I regret to say "was." He was given to her on her birthday, August 18th and passed away today, September 12th. Maybe fish are not as "low maintenance" as they first seem. I am sad, and hoping Sophie will not notice since she is only 2. She is old enough to notice that he is gone, but not really old enough to be able to understand why. Yes, this lesson will come up again. However, for now, I'd like to keep those sad realities away from my baby girl.

John the fish: August 18-September 12

It's a girl day, that also includes a side of boy

Sophie is down for her nap and AJ is "talking" to me as I write. Josh is at men's church camp this weekend, so it's me and the kiddos. I had myself pretty worked up about being home with them by myself all weekend, but it's going well. I only checked the doors about 20 times last night before I could fall asleep. I'd say we're having a girl's weekend, but it's more like a girl's weekend with a side of boy because AJ is with us too! He's not quite old enough to go to camp with daddy, but don't think I didn't try. I also tried to send Sophie :-)

I just thought I'd let you all know what a girl's weekend with a 2 year old includes...

Friday:

Cartoons and swinging outside after nap
Building block towers that only crashed on brother once
DQ Happy Meal for Dinner
A show and milk
Playing with kitchen naked because she ran away from me to go play...when I was changing her
Bed

Saturday:
Waking Mommy up early
Jumping on the bed
Waking Brother up early
Walk to go look for mow-mow's (cats)
Dancing to music
Playing with blocks...crashed brother twice
More Dancing
Eating a hot dog for lunch
Naptime

Mommy hoping naptime is REALLY long...

More later :-)

Time for Transition

As I watch Sophie have milk and show time before nap on our couch I began to get sentimental. That is the only place she has had show time, it's the only toy room she's known, and it's the only place that she's ever called "housh!"

It's been on my Facebook page, so I'm not really announcing anything. We are putting our house up on the market. As I write that, it seems more final because I'm posting about it. I've put all of our family memories, milestones, and transitions on this blog; most of these times, have included our house. A house that has been our home. This is the first place that I have decorated by myself. It the first place that Josh and I grew as a married couple, even bringing both our babies home to. It has held both of the nurseries we created. It has held us as we have laughed, cried, danced, stomped...It has been where we have gone from being people to being a family. I know God is the creator of families, but He has done His work in this house. I have spent countless hours here learning, loving, rocking my babies in the night, praying, and becoming a mommy. It is where Sophie learned to crawl and where she took her first steps; I do not yet know if AJ will or not. It's housed family dinners and church meetings and baby showers. It's garage has held garage sales and protected many a project's messes and peices. It's yard holds the play structure that Josh built for his children. We have remodeled it as much as we can. I have rearranged it more than ever anyone has before or even should, I'm pretty sure. It is not a perfect house. Everyone knows there are many things I would change...and when I suggest these things, Josh just smiles and tells me, "If you want to do that, it's probably time to move." SO, move we will. But, 873 Blackfoot Avenue, will always bring me back to my memories.

Josh's job is in transition and we've begun applying at other churches. We feel like putting our home on the market is the first step in obedience, blind faith right now. We are not sure what the Lord has in store, but we will be ready. As I look back on this time or as I recount, to Sophie and AJ, how my faith grew during this time, I hope it is obedience to the Lord that He can credit to me as righteousness. I want to be like Abram who believed God and went, even when he didn't know where the road led.

This is all we know for now, but updates will come as God reveals His plan to us. We covet your prayers and are so thankful to all who we know are lifting our family up to God.

A Lesson from Sophie...

Sophie's latest thing is looking at you, pointing to what she wants, and shouting "turn." As in, she is asking for a turn-whether that be for something to eat, a new toy to try, or my attention. I am amazed at how effective her communication is getting.

Although He does not shout at me, I feel like God is telling me "turn." I need to cease my striving and let Him be in control. He is always in control, even when I think I'm in charge of something, but my life will be less uncomfortable and less crazy if I give him the "turn" and stop trying to run things that I was not designed to do.

I get an upset stomach or sore muscles because I was not designed to carry the weight of my life or the stresses of this world on my own. He was. He is waiting for me to stop pulling back and let his "turn" continue forever.

Fall Nesting with the Inspired Room...

I am having so much fun "fall nesting" with the Inspired Room. Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. Why? Oh thanks for asking; I will tell you...

1. chunky sweaters
2. hot apple cider
3. decorating
4. pumpkin pie
5. the smells of baking
6. when I was at home, waking up early to talk to my mom while she was getting the turkey ready
7. Macy's parade
8. crunchy leaves
9. crisp air
10. warm candles, in pumpkin or cinnamon
11. mittens
12. fires in the fireplace
13. seasonal crafts
14. new pencils
15. new notebooks
16. new planners
17. going on walks in the crisp, sunny mornings
18. decorating mantles with leaves
19. decorating front porches
20. more time with family

Some flashbacks from fall's past...

I love this man...

Wow. Before kids looks a lot different. I love this man and I am so thankful for how he loves me and lives with me in such understanding. He is so great and I am glad that he is my husband and the daddy to our children.

So this is me begging...

On one of my favorite sights that I've mentioned before (with a link on the left hand side and several postings), the Inspired Room (http://theinspiredroom.net), is doing a give-away. Not just any give-away mind you...its, drum roll please, a $200 gift card to TJ Maxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, it's a lot of money to my FAVORITE store ever. Incredible. My mind is going crazy just thinking about that much money in that store. So close I could touch it. This is my posting to link back to in hopes to win.
I could do so much with that many dollar possibilities.

Like accessorize our front walkway and help it to feel homey; it seriously needs a fall wreath...



Or some cute storage under this bench...



Or help out this pathetically bare hallway wall...



Accessories are always a nice idea...



Organization anyone...



A new candle perhaps...



Like I said, ORGANIZATION...



For me, with our tight budget, this gift card would help so much and I would love to win. Endless possibilities! So fun.

Makes Mamma Happy...

Tonight, I had great plans to create a meal for my family that was out of my Better Homes and Garden mag...homemade pesto sounded so fresh and yummy and it sounded like an impressive feat to accomplish!

Homemade meals with fresh pesto require a lot of prep and dishes, and a food processor that I had to have when we got married (this was the 3rd time using it in 3 years)...



But it turns out so yummy...



And this is the point where you can really enjoy that you made your family a great dinner and have your clean kitchen back again...

Eagle Crest...

Time at the park...





Swimming...



Tanning...



Family...



No we didn't let Sophie play on the greens after hours...





Many walks...













Thanks Dad and Mom for a wonderful vacation. It was wonderful to have time together with all the family and we so appreciate you giving us some breaks from the kiddos! We love you. Dave and Amy, it was really fun to hang out with both of you too. We're so blessed to have such a great family!