It's Been Three Years????

This month marks our third year in Tennessee and our third year in our home that we lovingly refer to as the "Money Pit".  It is a house we thought was a dream house which has turned into something else entirely.

This house has kept us busy with projects.  Most we have done ourselves.   Here's a list of some of the projects we've done.  Unfortunately most have been repairs (in red) not upgrades.  I can say that we have been able to do all this and afford it by God's resources only.   He has provided over and over at the perfect time with the money, energy, and patient children.  Here's what we have been up to for the past three years.

• tile kitchen floor
• replace flooring in bathroom and laundry due to rips
• paint almost every room
•  repair, and replace enormous deck
• cut down and chop up two 150 year old oaks
• replace roof, siding, and gutters
• replace broken patio door
• reseal driveway with blacktop
• repair fireplace after tree fell and broke chimney
• dig up septic tank and repair it
• have new septic lines put in
• replace insulation in basement
• reseal and moisture control the basement
• replace old plumbing
• update and repair electrical wiring and fixtures
• replace three broken ceiling fans
• install more cabinets
• install built in microwave
• put in some plants in front gardens
• and the list could go on and on and on
•  

Here's our most recent repair.  We're down in the crawl space basement working on cleaning, moisture control, and replacing insulation.  FUN! FUN!  (not really)

 It's been hard and challenging and stressful, but I trust God is growing us and challenging us for His Good Purpose.  I eagerly wait to see the fruit of His work.

Happy Father's Day Craft

I don't have the time or money to be crafty, but I can't deny that I am a crafter by heart.  I saw my inspiration the other day on a blog.  I got so excited about making a present for Michael that I couldn't even sleep the night before.  This is a craft the boys helped me by painting on the Mod Podge. It's a medium sized tile and scrapbook paper.  It cost under a $1.00.  I made an extra for my little guy I nanny.

Enough about crafts, and on to the more important topic.  Michael is a great dad.  He always involves his boys in whatever he is doing.  He lets them "help" in his jobs around the house.  He is patient, playful, and loving every second with them.  He desires to teach them so much about life.  He wants to pour out so much of himself to them.  He reminds me of what Jesus said about how our earthly fathers give us so much, and he compares that to our Heavenly Father.  Michael is that father who would give everything to make his children happy and safe.  I am so proud of Michael.   And I am so thankful my children have him as their daddy.

Happy 11th Anniversary to US!

I remember thinking not too long ago, "Only old people have been married more than 10 years."  So I guess I'm admiting I'm old, but not really.  We are celebrating our 11th this weekend.  We went to the Chattanooga Choo Choo Dinner in the Dinner on Friday night.  Thanks to Corrina watching our kids!

We had a peaceful, elegant dinner.  It was lovely. We even dressed up.  I felt like I was a grown up for sure!  We used resturants.com coupon, AND we got a free dessert because it was our anniversary. It was worth every penny!

I have seen how marriage is a little like a roller coaster just as life seems to be for me.  We have our ups and downs, but we hold on tight to each other.  I love my husband and my marriage.  It humbles me that God gave me a man that loves me no matter what.  I don't deserve him, and I pray I live every day loving him and making him feel all my appreciation.

A Little Taste of Summer

Today reached 90 degrees here.  Ooh wee that's hot, baby! 

So the boys stripped off their clothes and splished and splashed in our water table.  (The extra is Winston the boy I watch 10.5 hours a day.)  He's one of the family, and he and Joel are best friends.

Then we went for a ride around the neighborhood.

Clark is "adjusting" to his new bike.  (He hates it and prefers his tricycle.)

One thing is for sure, Clark LOVES running.  Hooray, maybe I'll have a running partner!

Daddy was working really hard on teaching Clark how to use the brakes.

So Happy Together....

Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.

( I pray this verse over my boys all of my days.)

Over night my boys have become best friends.  They can play together for hours, and the laughter is absolutely beautiful.  I just stand back and watch in awe.  I know many of you are further down the path, and you have had this joy for years.  So excuse this "young" mom who just can't hold back her thankfulness and excitement.

Here are the boys taking turns pushing each other in the truck.

When they are playing, Clark sings a song about teamwork (his own version of Wonder Pets)!  Here they are singing and working together to fill a bucket.

A BERRY Good Day!

Today WAS a berry good day!  After six long days, Michael aka Daddy is back home!! We picked him up at the airport at midnight.  Then we spent the day having lots of fun.  Michael surprised us with presents from Boston.  Then we went garage saling. 

We had to pick up groceries, and strawberries (our favorite) were on sale for $1.00 a pound.  So we got A LOT.  The boys helped Michael wash them.  Actually they made a mess and ate tons of berries.

Some how a banana got caught up with all the strawberries. No worries Clark washed it too.

S

I made a cobbler.  Yummy!

Joel mostly ate a bite off one and threw it back into the pile.  He was our taste tester.

Clark really wanted me to take a picture of the strawberry.

After grilling hamburgers and eating on the porch, we played in the backyard.

The boys played fetch with our sweet old Katie.

Clark didn't want Daddy to go anywhere without him.  He really missed his daddy last week.  (so did I)

I love this picture of my boys.

Daddy's day back was a BERRY good day!

My silly boys and all the joys....

Joel is enjoying whipped cream and strawberries

Clark and his sily Cheeto face

My boys bring me so much joy and laughter.  I can't imagine life without them.  And I  know they have changed me forever.  They have taught me love, hope, and life.  Thank you God for blessing me with so much more than I deserve.

Because of His reputation.....a list of prayer requests

Disclaimer:  I DID start this blog to keep grandparents and faraway friends and family in the loop, but it's turned out to be also a place to ponder spiritual things as well.

Most know the passage in Luke about asking, knocking, and seeking.  Well today I read the before and after and decided to do something radical with God by putting His Word to the test.

Luke 11:8-13
(Jesus is telling a story about a hungry friend knocking a man's door at night) But I tell you this--though your friend won't do it as a friend, he will get up and give you what you want so his reputation won't be damaged.  And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks, receives, Everyone who seeks finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks......
how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

I had to wonder what is Jesus trying to say with the story connected to the ask, seek, knock.  Is he saying God is like the man who will get up and give you what you want so His reputation will shine and His name be glorified???

I have been asking God for a few things lately, and I decided to claim them in the light of Luke 11. My hope is His reputation will shine as God answers my heart's requests.

Here's my on going prayer request list:
1. My sons will be passionately in love with God and His Word and marry Godly women.  They would also be the best of friends all of their days.
2. My family would put Jesus in the center resulting in lifting up Christ so the whole world can see.
3. My husband will find God's perfect will for his life and lead our family.
4. We will be finacially responsible, get out of debt, and stay out.
5. My mother-in-law and father-in-law will live long, healthy, happy lives, and we'll spend much more time together.
6. My mom, dad, sister, and her children will one day know the depth of God's love and be changed eternally by His grace.
7. We will be able to accept and delight in the number of children God will/has blessed us with.
8. If homeschooling is God's will for us, then He will give me other amazing families to work together as a team.
7. Michael and I will hunger for God's word and daily commit to spending time in the Bible.

So here I am like that man who was hungry knocking at his friend's door.  I am filled with excited anticipation to see what God will do.   I can't wait to shout to the world....LOOK WHAT HE DID BECAUSE OF HIS GOODNESS AND PERFECT REPUTATION!

A Blessed Easter Weekend

We had a glorious and blessed Easter weekend with gorgeous weather.

On Friday, my friend, our four kids, and I enjoyed delicious, hot cinnamon rolls from a quaint local resturant, and then we went on a hike along a roaring white water creek.
Our kids enjoyed throwing rocks and getting dirty.  It was heart warming to see our boys working together and playing together.  I must stay viligent to always pray my boys have good friends all of their days!

Saturday was a blur, but Sunday was memorable.  We went to two church services, and then we all took a nap.  After the nap, we meet up with a couple of families to celebrate Easter and hunt for eggs.

Our Big Cheese

Here's a picture of Joel in his pajamas, wearing his rainboots, and eating a huge chuck of cheese.  This is so Joel...silly and eating something.