Count your blessings

a good nights sleep

I feel so refreshed and rested this morning.  I had to share this!!  Colton usually wakes up around midnight (sometimes earlier) and gets in bed with Dusty and I.  He has done this for what seems like forever now.  He is not the best sleeping buddy.  He likes to sleep on my head and not only do I wake up with some outrageous hair but a sore neck :)  So now that I have given you a little history you will know how much this means................he slept ALL night in his own bed.  He didn't even wake up once.  I can't tell you how good I feel this morning!  Thank you Lord for such a huge blessing!!

giving thanks

As we go into this time of year my heart is so full of gratitude.  I am in a beautiful home that my husband and I (along with many others :) built for our family.   Our hope was to fill it with love and to make it a home.  I look forward to the holidays and all the wonderful memories we will make here.  Our home will be filled with love, happiness and peace.  We will be surrounded by the ones we love.  My only wish is that all of us could be together (you know who you are :)  The ones who will not be here will be on my heart.  You will be missed.  Lord, I want to thank you for contentment this Thanksgiving.  My life is full of great things and I want to cherish each and every one.  I love my family and pray I can show them how much they mean to me.  Let me be a blessing to others, this will be my greatest gift this season.  I love you Lord. 

a little bit of my heart

I have struggled for some time, not understanding or knowing why.  I have an amazing family that supports me and prays for me (friends too :).  Thank you and I love you. 

I am so thankful and blessed to have such an awesome God.  He knows my heart and gives me just what I am desiring.  I want a pure heart.  I want to be a wife who God intended her to be.  I want to be a mother who teaches her children about the amazing grace of God and spreads His truth.  I want to be a woman who strives to live her days allowing God to work through her.  He has chosen to give me a renewing of my heart and soul.  I was tired, weary and discouraged.  He picked me up and embraced me in His arms.  He held me until I was strong enough to stand on my feet again.  As I write this, tears stream down my face, tears of joy and thankfulness.  I am so undeserving yet he has always been there...waiting for me.  In the past few years, I felt God working in ways I didn't understand.  Though my circumstances were difficult for me at times, I know he used them in ways I don't even know.  His plan is so amazing.  The very circumstances I resented, are the exact circumstances that brought me to where I am today, at peace with myself but most importantly at peace with Him.  I am who I was made to be.  I embrace this woman you made and promise to protect her, nurture her and love her.  Thank you Lord for your tender love and patience.  I know I will fail you but I promise to give you all of me, the good and the bad.     

Six.

I was tagged by Jen.  Six things about me:

1.  I want to own a business.  I have always had ideas of different things, I guess I just don't have the courage to step out and do it.  It is such a huge commitment and responsibility.  I would love to have something that Dusty and I could do together.

2.  When I was little I wanted to be a writer or a singer.  I can't write or sing?!

3.  Love cooking/baking.  I am finally starting to get back to trying new things.  For awhile things were so crazy I made whatever was edible :)

4.  I am intrigued by large families.  I have been addicted to watching those shows on TLC with large families.  I have a very full life that I love but if things were slower I have a feeling Dusty and I might have six or seven kids :)   

5.  PROCRASTINATOR.  Horrible.  Hate it.  Want to face it and change it.  The only problem is procrastinator's don't ever face it because they put it off :)

6.  I LOVE grocery shopping.  I like to have a menu plan and list ready, grab a coffee and be gone for several hours wandering the aisles.  I love to try new things.  Those are the times I wished we lived in a bigger area and had better stores!  It feels so great coming home and putting it all away, must be because I am organized and prepared.

I tag Chrisanna and Brooke!

*new post*

Yes, hard to believe huh?  I have been on a much needed blogging break, but now I am back and it feels great!  I have so many things I want to share and tell about.........where do I begin?

First.............HaPpy bIrtHdAy maMa!!  I love you so much and I pray blessings upon you this next year.  I appreciate all that you are to me and my family. 

Here are a few things I love about you as my mom...

*protective.  its nice knowing someone always has your back!

*beauty.  inside and out.  she is so gorgeous!  i love the way she smells too :)  she always smells so nice!

*faith.  it makes up her life.  she stands strong in what she believes.  she loves her Saviour.

*cook.  she is a great cook.  she is always coming up with something new and i love to be her taste tester :)

*generous.  she has a givers heart.  she would rather give than receive!

*dedicated.  she puts her whole heart into everything she does.  she is such a hard worker. 

*mama.  i love that she is my mom.  i love that when things are really hard she is always there to help and knows exactly what i need.

I love you mom. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

Today is Sam's special day, her birthday.  She is my baby sister and she's 25.  Yep, not fair huh?  I couldn't imagine life without her. 

 

So here is a list of twenty five things I love about you.....

1.  Your laugh.  When you laugh, it spreads.  It makes me want to laugh and makes me happy!

2.  Your starbucks addiction.  I like it because then I don't feel so guilty.  It is always nice to have someone to drink with :)

3.  You are SO creative.  In everything, you always see it with a different eye.  Sometimes I wish I had your eyes :)

4.  Photography.  Need I say more?  Don't think so!  But I do have to add that I love that you enjoy taking pictures of your family and you do it with a loving heart.  Words cannot describe how I feel when I see the pictures you take, especially of my family. 

5.  Funky style.  I love that you embrace who you are and find things that portray your personality.  You have a great sense of style.

6.  Spaghetti legs.  Just because it makes me laugh.  You gave them to my daughter, although I do think she is outgrowing them.  Did you outgrow them?

7.  Faith.  You stand firmly on what you believe, no matter the cost.  You are an inspiration!

8.  Mother to four.  I love hearing stories on your blog about the little moments between you and your kids.  You are a great mother and always trying to build great memories with your family.  Your love for them shows!

9.  Love for reading.  It cracks me up when you get a book and tell me a few hours later how good it was!  You have always loved to read and I can still see you at our house on the chair cuddling with your cat and reading a book :)

10.  I'm thankful you still love me after cleaning my room (while I talked on the phone and promised to play with you after you cleaned) and I was AWFUL.  You got done cleaning my room and I would come up with something else.  You know if I could go back I would play with you right?  ;)

11.  Your beautiful.  I know you don't see what others see, but you are beautiful.  All the way from your personality to your smile....

12.  I love how you are always showing me something you found online.  She finds the coolest, most random things.  Mom can back me up on this one.  How do you do that?

13.  Mel.  We all know what this means.  Your tender heart pulls at you to read these blogs right?

14.  Hair.  Girl, I know some days you wish it was different.  But there are girls who would kill to have your amazing hair.  I do love the smell too!

15.  Your interaction with your kids.  It is special and unique with each one of them.  I really love seeing you with your baby girl Ava.  Your bond with her is so precious!

16.  Commitment.  You are truly committed in everything you set out to do.

17.  Fast.  Fast, fast, fast.  Everything you do is in hyper speed.  Walking, talking, driving, thinking and doing projects.  We get talking about something and next thing I know you are calling me to tell me how it turned out.  Can I borrow some of that energy?

18.  Caring.  You have such a tender heart and show people how much you care.  I can't tell you how much your emails and calls mean to me.  You are a huge supporter!

19.  Skinny minny.  No matter how many kids you have, you'll never be anything more than skinny.

20.  Playful.  Always having fun.  My kind of girl :)

21.  Talented in so many ways.  Want a burp cloth, baby toy, holiday banner?  She can make any of em for ya!  You always set your heart on something and it never turns out anything less than perfect!!

22.  Tenderness.  You have a tender heart and you allow God to use you in many ways.  I know you would like to be more involved with certain things but God is using you right now in ways you probably don't even see.  You are open to Him and that is all that matters!

23.  Fun.  Anyone who spends time with you will say how fun you are.  Life of the partay!

24.  Loyal.  Your loyalty is inspiring.  You never stray from it.  I look up to this trait Sam, you ROCK!!

25.  Colorful you.  You.  I love that you are comfortable with who you are and you embrace it.  Unique, fun, loving and a great baby sister.  I love you Sam!!

I had a hard time finding a picture.  Kinda hard when she is always the photographer.  Note to self, take more pictures of Sam!!

Ok. one more thing.  I am going to laugh if I am wrong and you aren't twenty five, you are right?

HaPpy BIrtHdAy jEn

Happy Birthday sista!!  I love you so much and hope you have a wonderful day!

 

Jen is one of my best friend's.  I am so thankful she is such a big part of my life, I don't know what I would do without her.  Here are a few things I love about Jen....

• she loves to dance.  this girl has got it goin' on.  she also loves music and is always telling me new songs to listen to
• she is a wonderful mother.  her heart is full of love for them and she shows them every day.  she is always doing something with or for her kids
• she is beautiful.  from the inside out.  she has a glow about her
• she is inspirational.  i am always being inspired by her.  she is very creative and fun.  we always have some project in the works don't we jen?
• her warmth.  she is a good listener and genuinely cares and loves you for who you are.  she is a loyal friend.  i know i can always count on her 
• she doesn't know it, but i look up to her in many ways.  i am thankful God gave me her as a big sister.  we get closer and closer as the years go by and i am so thankful that i have her in my life.  she inspires me to look to Jesus and loves me unconditionally.  i love you jen and pray you have a great day, you deserve it!  well, actually you deserve a whole weekend :)

the quiet moments

I am enjoying the peace in this early morning, listening to worship music and letting God just BE in me.  One of my favorite times with God, the quiet moments.  The times when you feel him completing you, healing you and holding you.  I am struggling and He knows.  I love this entire song, the first paragraph is what he gave to me this morning.  I have His peace, my heart/flesh have not caught up yet.  He is my anchor.  He keeps me grounded and reminds me that this is His perfect plan.  I have comfort knowing He has a perfect plan for me and my family.  I am taking comfort in knowing, It is well.   

"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin

There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say, “It is well”

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, “Worthy is the Lamb”
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, “Worthy is the Lamb”

I'd choose you

I have so many things I want to share but this is on the top of my list.  My birthday was wonderful and I have never felt so spoiled.  Dusty gave me the most perfect gift (along with many, many other gifts).........

If I could spend my life with just ONE person...............I'd choose you.

If I could fly around the world with one person......I'd choose you.

If I could pick the mother of my children................I'd choose you.

If I could give anything in the world to one person......I'd choose you.

If I could spend the rest of my life with one person other than you........still, I'd choose you.

If I could do it ALL over again.....................I'd choose you.

Happy Birthday baby.  I love you so much.  I know each day brings new trials and tribulations, but I know you complete me and together we can overcome anything.  I love you so much that I want to try and meet your every want and need.  You are the breath of life for me

                                                            Because you love me,

                                                                            Dusty

Hello?!  I had just put my makeup on and had to go reapply :)  I am so grateful that he wanted to tell me in his own way how he feels about me.  I love you baby!!

where does the time go?

Oh yeah.  I am back and forth to the school three times a day! (it takes me twenty five minutes one way :)  I have the three girls in school this year.  Sydney who is in fifth grade and of course all day, Gracie in kindergarten every day but only half days and Audrey who goes on Tues/Thurs in the mornings.  It is so weird to drop all three of them off and only have Colton.  I have found I use those mornings to get my errands done with only one child.  It is nice to have time to spend with just him.  I just wish he was a better shopper :)  We'll have to work on that.  I have a mile long list of posts I want to do.  I need to upload pictures from the kids' first day but can't find my cord?!  So hopefully I will be able to do that this weekend. 

I was planning on going to the cereal sale and had so many things to do my mother in law offered to go for me.  I went to her work after I picked Syd up and she gave me FIVE bags full of stuff.  It is such a blessing.  Thanks Doris :)  After I got home and made dinner I decided to brave Fiesta Foods to get some meat for carne asada.  I have heard all these stories about the great deals and wanted to check it out.  I did have to go in the evening when I didn't have the kids but I don't recommend it.  I will definitely go during the day, preferably in the morning, next time.  I stood out just a tad being the only blonde in the place :)  It didn't help I had no idea what most things were either!  But I did walk away with some good deals.  They actually have good produce that was really cheap, meat that was on sale and fresh tortillas.  I picked up a few things and will let ya know what I think.

It is time already to wake the kids up for school and you should see my hair.  I should take a picture.  That is one thing with short hair, I have to wash it/do it every morning.  I don't know what I do when I sleep but it stands straight up by morning :)   Off to wake kids up and wash my hair!