Spiderman 4th Bithday

Somebody turned four last month. I let him lick the beater for the frosting that went on his Spider web cupcakes. We had these guys with ice cream after our BBQ chicken dinner:

They are so easy. Just pipe the white frosting in three or four circles, like a target. Then use a toothpick to make the webs by starting from the center and going straight out to the edge.

We also had green goblin punch made with 7up, pineapple juice and, green sherbet.

Then the big present! A transformers bumblebee bike! He also got super heros from his cousins and Leapfrog tag books for his tag pen from Grandpa and Grandma. He also spent his $10 from his other Grandma (later) on a game that he found on the PS3 called the Pooyoos.

Then we went out back for the Pinata!!

Just a paper grocery bag on a hanger decorated with streamers and a printed Spiderman and spider webs.

I can't believe my little boy is 4 already!!

Ayla - almost 4 months

Blessed - Day 7 - Our Home

Quaint and cozy and no mortgage! I can't wait to plant some flowers! We love it here, but we look forward to owning land someday. Until then we will enjoy this blessing of a home!

Blessed - Day 6 - My In-laws

I am so grateful for my in-laws.  They are truly a blessing.  I view them not just as in-laws, but as good friends in Christ.  They have sacrificed so much to raise my husband in the Lord.

When Berrit was born

One big way in which my in laws saw fit to raise my husband in the Lord was homeschooling. In teaching him important virtues they help mold Jake into who he is today. When a family chooses to home school its not because it's "easier" because it's not.  In fact, my mother in law went through a lot to ensure that she was not arrested for keeping her boys out of school.  This was back in the day when home schooling was frowned upon.  I am thankful for parents like her who fought for the freedom to teach our own children.

My mother in law is a wonderful seamstress.  She attends to every detail in her work and she enjoys every bit of it.  She has made a few wedding dresses, altered numerous pant hems, patched holes, put buttons back on, and much more.  She has inspired and taught me to sew after I was sure I would never do it.  She also loves to write and it is not uncommon to see her getting out the baking supplies after doing the evening dishes!!

My father in law is a supportive dad to my husband and loves to help out fixing cars and helping out with all sorts of odd jobs.  He is a caring, loving father and I feel so privileged to have him as a father in law.  He enjoys cars, old westerns and other old movies.

My in-laws have us over ever Sunday for after church dinner (whenever we are all well!) We always enjoy time with them as well as the wonderful roasts and other yummy things they like to make for us!

I am so blessed to have such a special set of in laws who love God and desire righteousness in their own lives and the lives of their children.

I can't forget to mention my dear sister in law who is always so sweet to me and is such a blessing.  She loves photography, computer games, and is a fantastic artist and pianist!! Love you, Jen! She is also great with kids and is always the person missed (with tears) when we leave grandpa and grandma's!

Jenny with Ayla

Blessed - Day 5 - My Husband

Today marks 7 years for us and I am elated to celebrate it with my husband.  Unfortunately we are quarantined to the house because there is pink eye in the house, yuck!

My husband is my best friend and we share a lot of wonderful times.  We haven't been without our struggles, but God has blessed us immensely through it all.

I wish I could buy him something wonderful, but financially we are so tight right now. My mother bought us a really beautiful coat rack for our anniversary!  It was so special and was a sacrificial gift. We desperately needed somewhere to put our coats besides laying on our shoe shelf.

Back to Jake - my hubby of 7 years.

His character is precious to me and needed.  God knew I needed an upstanding guy to keep me accountable.  He understands his responsibility before God.  He knows he will one day be accountable for me as well.  He shows love for me in not being soft when I'm whiny. He never caudals my self pity moments or condones my angry outlets.  Many people know me, but few understand my personal emotional struggles that I deal with daily.  Jake is so gracious and kind and patient with me.

He is a great friend, not just to me.  I like watching his interactions with his guy friends and the way they laugh and enjoy life in a God honoring way.  I am grateful that my husband has good friends to be examples of Christ to him and to challenge him as a husband and father.

Jake is smart and logical.  Ever since we have been married he has done a good job pointing out some illogical thought processes that I have.  It actually amazes me how fast he can some up with a solution to a problem.  He has so many great, creative ideas.

He is determined. He does not give up quickly, let me tell you.  He does not get discouraged quickly. He hopes the best in his accomplishments and does whatever he can to complete what he starts.  This is a good quality to have in a father and I'm glad he is fathering our children with this same determination.

Jake plays with our son.  To some people this would not be a big deal, but I see it as huge.  So many dads don't realize how they are affecting their sons by not play with them and meeting them at their level to have a good relationship with them at whatever age they are.  I am confident that our son will always respect and love his father as he grows up.

 I could go on about how fun he is, how compassionate and caring. He is special to me and I am grateful for every moment God gives us together. I love you, Jake!

Blessed - Day 4 - The Church

While home today from church with a sick family for the third week in a row I realize just how needed a community of believers is in my life.

I am so grateful for church, not just the one that I attend every week, but for the fellowship of true believers that God has placed in my life.

It is a privilege to see the examples of Christ in so many other's lives, in the small and big things of life.  From the intellectual to the artistic, they are all an important part of experiencing Christ.

I miss church!!

Blessed - Day 3 - My Mom

My Mom

A woman of refinement.  God has allowed many trials in my mothers life and it has produced in her many good things.  I sort of wish I knew my mom when she was younger to see the change first hand. Changes like how she learned to lean on God in Faith through everything and to Praise Him all the time, in every situation.  

I've heard stories of how afraid she was to drive on highways and other fears that ruled her life. Those fears no longer rule her. She has had 5 children and after I have had just 2, I respect her greatly for the calm spirit that she possessed in my growing up years. The love and nurture she gave me offered so much for me, an acceptance that I could always go back to.  She always excepts me, even when I knew my character was ugly and unacceptable, she still loved me.  Her kindness brought me to conviction of my sin in special ways.  I've learned a lot about love and sacrifice from her. Just because someone is living unacceptably doesn't mean you can't love them.  You can love a person without accepting their actions.  She is a great example of this.

My mom is my very best friend.  No one could ever take her place and I could not imagine life without her. We have been through so much together and I wouldn't pick another person to go through it with.  I could go on all day of the ways she has supported me and helped me, but it would take all day.

These pictures are 2 of the 3 I could find. I need more pictures of my mom!

Blessed.

Blessed - Day 2 - My Daughter

I'm still getting used to the term "my daughter" and still humbled by this precious gift.

This time in our life will not be forgotten. The way we have seen God work in providing for our family is way beyond what we can explain. From our health share network coming through to generous friends to an abundance of girl clothing (we literally have bought 2 items of clothing for her with our own money.) to every little encouragement and timely visit, we praise God for it all!

With only a couple months left of J's unemployment we still have faith that things will be ok even if it doesn't look like it. We know those who love us would not let us go cold or hungry.

Anyway, all that to say that we will not forget when our daughter was born, a time of trial, but also of triumph, and not by our own strength. Thank you, Father, for carrying us like you said you would.

Meeting brother for the first time.

Blessed - Day 1 - My Son

I need to get my blogging bum in gear so I decided to challenge myself to 30 days of blessings in pictures. After having a baby it's normal to have a downer time, especially if you have complications like thrush on baby, 5 hours spans of sleep on a good night, sore throat and pink eye in both eyes!  Needless to say I need a little refocus challenge to remember the many blessings in life and to switch back to grateful gear before all this gets the best of me.

Today:  My Son - God's work of discipline and refinement in my life. Creative, Imaginative, Dominant personality, Super Hero wannabe, Loves to dance (spiderman moves of course), and thankfully a helper with laundry (lately). He is all boy and if I do him right maybe he'll take good care of me someday. B, you had me at "Waaaaa!". Now go clean up your room.