Amberly's Birthday Party!

Amberly had a Disco Karaoke Birthday Party! We had fun singing songs and celebrating with friends!

time, where does it go?

why does it seem like the weeks fly by now? The kids are getting bigger and the days are so full. Is it that we are just having so much fun? :) Too busy is more likely the culprit, I'm guessing. I remember a year or two ago hearing a guy from Sunday School class share that his daughter turned nine~he's crossing the half-way mark of raising his girl! I shrugged it off and thought, that's a funny way to look at it. Hmmm. My girl turned nine on Tuesday and guess who's thinking that same thought. I think about seizing the day with my boys also, of course, but for some reason nine years old stikes a chord. It's almost 2 digits. It's old enough to start really thinking about hard things in life, but young enough to still play with dolls....... It's a treasure of an age really. My girl is becoming a woman. She's deciding who she will become. She is deciding who she will be like, who she will follow, and if she will be a leader or follow the crowd. She is discovering her talents and her gifts, but also recognizing weaknesses. She is balancing the weights of inner and outer beauty. She's moving from the realm of mostly home influence to include a lot more peer influence. Where did nine years go?
Where did last week go?
I wonder if too often we busy ourselves with the good and miss out on the best. Do we deal with the urgent and forget to pay attention to the very important? Why do we do this? Are we forgetting to consult our daytimer? Or are we forgetting our priorities? Or have we even had time to list our priorities? Where should we be spending our time? I think it's not a trick question and the answer is easier than we expect. You figure it out.
Just kidding.
I think that God tells us his prescription for life in his word: Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness. (Put God first, spend time with Him, ask His direction and blessing for your day, ask Him to give you his heart, eyes, ears, hands, feet, to do what He would do through you!) Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Do ALL that you do for the glory of God.......thinking, reading, loving, praying, learning, cleaning, laundry, cooking, teaching, training, helping, fixing, listening, exercising, friending :).........to the GLORY OF GOD!).
Simple enough, but not easy. To make each moment count, we need to find ourselves walking with God through each day, living for his pleasure, knowing he delights in us when we live our lives for him..........enjoying him and thanking him for the good He has placed in our lives........thanking him for the birthdays to celebrate, the homes to clean, the clothes to wash, the cake to bake, the kids to bathe, the husband to love. Life is good.
But when it is not, take heart, God knows.
He has seen suffering. He has endured grief and trials and pain. He knows hurt and loss and despair. He is our true helper in times of need. He has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED to get through any stuggle~ He has given us himself.
Nope, He didn't promise that life would be easy. But, He did promise that He will be with us~ And that's ALL we need.
So, whether the day lingers on or flies by too quickly, what matters is loving God and making our lives an act of worship. Will you join me on this adventure?

self worth?

where do we get it? do we need it? do we want it?
I believe we find our significance, purpose and value in our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, yes, we do need it; but the reason that we need it is so that we can live our lives for the glory of God. It's not about how good I feel about me, or how I feel about how someone else thinks about me. It's about who I am in God's eyes, and the difference I am making in the world because He loves me and I love Him! The reason I can make a difference in this world is because of his life in me. His wisdom. His power. Anything good that is in me is because of You, Jesus.......isn't that the truth? We get so caught up in ourselves that we lose sight of Whose we are, which is far more important than "who" we are. We are HIS. Our identity comes from our relationship with Him. This relationship is one of daily walking, conversing, reflecting, communicating, felowshipping. If it's not, you're missing out! The only way any of us can live up to the standard that we would want to keep (being Christlike in our character) is to allow Jesus to dwell in our lives and live his life through us. That's the secret; Christ in you! The Hope of Glory. It's good to know that I don't have to do anything to be worth something in God's eyes. It's all been done. By God Himself. Take a moment and Give God Glory!

MUSHY KISSES

OH MY GOODNESS! PUCKER UP! :)

Our Latest Project

We decided to update our kitchen by painting our old oak cabinets. My friend Pernilla came from Orange County for a few days and got us started. She was able to finish off our kitchen island cabinets over a long weekend, so we were inspired to tackle the big job of finishing the rest of the cabinets (20 doors and 8 drawers plus sides and bases and shelves and baseboards, but whos counting?). SO, happy to say, after 2 weeks of tlc and sweat we are nearing the end......just a few more hours of finshing off! I am really loving the new look, so fresh!!!!!! yay! :)

before

after.......

Back to School

Here we are on the first day back to school. We had a breakfast with the families in the cul-de-sac behind our house. That's where the kids get on the bus. They were excited.

august

Meet the Teacher Night! Amberly started 4th grade this year, and Jonah started 1st. Benjamin is going to a "practice" kindergarden year at our Church's preschool.

july-------danville and sacramento

We got to spend time with extended family and friends in the bay area, and we celebrated (early) our 11th anniversary (8-2) with Pat and Jen Philips enjoying a night away in Sacramento.

WHere have we been? june

A busy summer it is true; June and July and August flew

now it's September and it hasn't slowed down,

we are in and out of town..........

here goes our trips this summer:

June trip with Andrea and kids to Orange County to visit the Scotts and

go to DISNEYLAND!!!

What is a Friend?

A friend is someone who knows you, flaws and all, and accepts you, and forgives you, and challenges you to be the woman God created you to be.

A friend is one who prays for you; she prays for God's will to be done in your life. She lifts you up before the throne of grace when your burdens are too heavy to bear.

A friend hugs and smiles and encourages. She celebrates with you and cries with you, and shares your hopes and dreams.

A friend laughs with you and has fun with you and makes happy memories.

A friend sticks by your side through thick and thin. She hurts when you hurt. She shares in your life, whatever is going on.

A friend points you to Jesus. She tells you what you need to hear even if it's not pretty. She speaks truth in love. She shows mercy and compassion. She is kind.

A friend never gives up. She is faithful and patient. She waits on the Lord.

A friend loves at all times.

A friend is a gift from God.

Thank you God, for my special friends.

Let me be the friend to others that you have made me to be.

Mom and Jonah

Jonah's 7th Birthday Party! We had such a fun party at Jeepers, an indoor amusement park. Jonah was glowing, he was so thrilled at all the fun and friends and cake and presents! Such a sweet boy! He and I are heading up to Anacortes, Wa, next Saturday to visit Liz and family. This is a special mom/son trip and I am looking forward to our one on one time together! Seven, what a fun age!

Haircut

Benjamin discovered a new way to get a haircut and not get any hair in his eyes!

Blogging Trouble

Trouble trouble trouble! How come it's taken so long for me to blog? On top of all the business in my life, my blogger account wouldn't let me log on.....So, I promise you, since i can get on again now, i will start blogging again, just as soon as.........
I help the kids with homework,
clean the kitchen,
help Cody paint the cabinets,
reorganize my closet,
make some dinner,
email my bible study group,
plan Jonah's birthday party,
do the laundry.......
and that's just before bedtime!
Hope to get on again soon~