Family Fun

Nothing too newsworthy to share here, so I thought I'd share some of my Project Life photos from the past couple of weeks.

We all love when daddy is home.

Donuts are a rare treat, as in we've bought them maybe two times for the kids since they've been born. So when we get them N goes nuts. Like most children, his favorite must be topped with sprinkles...which he happily eats off first.

She loves food. And messes.

These are seriously the biggest strawberries I've ever seen. And purchased.

Sweet smiles.

Questioning if this is a safe idea or not.

While the rest of the country was covered in snow, Arizona was also hit with a little cooler weather that caused us to have to bundle up.

And I honestly have no idea how they learned this, but when I walked into the kitchen and asked what they were doing, N told me "making snow angels."

And when you have to stay inside because the weather is cold, you get creative...

Tea anyone?

For N's preschool I utilize the workbox system. It is fabulous and definitely vibes with my need for structure. He loves seeing what each tray has in store for him. We work our way through all ten in about an hour.

A friend let me borrow her Insanity workout DVDs. They are insane. And I have a love/hate relationship with it.

My take on Project Life

Last year I attempted to do Project Life (a photo a day for 365 days) but didn't get very far. Life got a little blurry and hurried by without me getting to complete the year. I have vowed to renew my efforts and try again this year. I'm not really a scrapbooker. I would spend way too much time on one page only to get discouraged that the book never seems to get done. And then I toss it aside for along while. And while I love playing with all of the "stuff," I dislike that said stuff takes up precious space.

Enter Project Life. The thing I love the most about it is that it's simple. You can purchase a physical book or go digital, which is what I'll be doing this year. No stuff around. Plus, it was driving me crazy thinking of just having one book for our family. I kept thinking, what about when the kids grow up and want photos of their own? A little premature, I know. Enter digital Project Life. I can print as many books as I want. I think I just saw the heavens open and heard angels singing.

I've already experienced the joy of doing this type of scrapbooking just in the 19 days I've been at it. Because if I hadn't started it, I would have missed out on documenting a whole lot of these memories:

Talking to daddy. With food all over his face.

She was so excited to be sitting on the couch with her big brother. She kept looking over at him, as if to get clues to what happens next.

Seriously, there are no words.

Sharing Cheerios.

Alphie the robot is one of N's favorite toys. It's the only toy that N will tromp up to his room and play with for awhile by himself.


*Love* when I catch him reading.

Did you know they already have these out in the stores? And did you know I snag one every time I go grocery shopping? These are the only candy that you notice will often be partially unwrapped in the basket in the grocery aisle but will still buy because...they're so good.

Family photos 2010

I'm finally able to share some of the photos we had taken a couple of months ago. One of my favorite keepsakes to have are family photos. We had a photographer come take some of our family in our current home that is for sale. I think it will be nice to have some taken in our first home together that holds so many wonderful memories. They're a little out-of-order, but I'm too lazy to fix that. Enjoy!








This photo was one I wanted the most. I love seeing my sweet girl standing in her crib in the nursery we brought her home to.





We caught her taking her first steps.

He Knows My Name

Well, my photos from this past week are still on the camera so I don't have any to share. Perhaps tomorrow? But don't think you're going home empty-handed.

To be completely honest, through this whole moving ordeal, separation of our family and trying to sell our home, sometimes I get weary and really tired of praying about it. The thing is, I believe God is who He says He is and that He can "do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." (Ephesians 3:20), but lately I find more comfort sitting in silence with God instead of praying through my "request list" with Him. That's probably what He wants anyway, right?

The song, "He Knows My Name" by Tommy Walker, says what I haven't been able to. When I sit quietly waiting for answers, these words remind me of what I already know and brings me so much relief. Isn't it a relief to know He knows your name without you telling Him. Or all of the struggles, big or small, you might be going through?

I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch the video and read the lyrics to this beautiful song. And worship our Maker with me, because He knows your name.



Lyrics by Tommy Walker
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

Welcome 2011

So I'm a little late on an actual New Years post, but my man was in town so I decided to stay away from the computer while having great family time.

Experiencing snow falling for the first time in AZ.

I've mentioned before that I *LOVE* new seasons of change. Whether that be a new season coming upon us or a new year. There has been something about 2010 that has left me, well, excited for 2011. Perhaps it's because we've hit a bit of a dry spell in life in 2010. At least I did. It seemed like I was craving more but wasn't sure what that was. Craving more for my spiritual life, married life, motherhood, financially, career, friendships and on and on. Most of the time I know exactly what it is I need to do to make a particular part of my life what I desire it to be. Most of the time, the answer is fairly simple. But this past year, the answers have been a little blurred.


What a great way to start off the new year.

Recently, I had the pleasure of watching Lee Strobel's A Case for Faith and A Case for Christ. I have the books, but I have to say my hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning from his videos. One of the things that really struck me from A Case for Faith was when Lee Strobel began talking about how people often search for what they want to do and be in life. You know, the old what do I want to do when I grow up question. Instead, we should really be searching for what it is God wants us to do and be in life. Simple? Yes. But boy did it rock my world. This thought is EXACTLY what I have been looking for to work toward in 2011.

While I love making lists and writing goals, I felt like I had too many goals to really ever commit to doing some type of New Years resolution list. However, the thought of simply seeking out what it is God wants me to do is a great overarching statement to check each of my goals for 2011 against.

It may sound silly, but this brings me peace. And hope. I'm so looking forward to 2011. No matter what happens, by the end of it my family will all be together for our new adventure in Oklahoma. I have no idea what will happen between here and there, but I'm excited. And thankful for a God who answers prayer in His perfect timing.

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.” Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

A merry little Christmas

We spent this Christmas with our small little family of 4.

While we really missed our extended family, it was quite the relaxing time at home.

Every Christmas Eve we celebrate Jesus' birth with a birthday cake. Since we had had cake not too long ago for N's birthday, I decided to make Oreo pie instead. Yum. Here the kids are getting to blow out the candle.

This year we decided to tell the Christmas story using an interactive nativity made by the same company that makes Resurrection Eggs.

I debated between getting video of the kids coming down the stairs Christmas morning, or taking photos of them with my camera. The video won and N's expression is priceless when he discovered the tree flowing with presents underneath.

We opened stockings along with a present or two and took a break to chow down on some homemade sticky buns.

Having a 3-year old at Christmas is simply magical. They are excited about absolutely everything and want to play with each gift as it gets unwrapped. It was so nice to get to go as slowly as we wanted throughout the day allowing them to play with the toys as they pleased and not be in a hurry to get somewhere.

Little Miss enjoyed opening her gifts as well...

Do you think any potential home buyers will notice this big tent in the living room?

I'm still not sure how I managed to have these Hex bugs in my home, but both of the kids have fun with them. We even gave M her own pink bug so she could feel apart of it.

With the two of them being so close in age, they play with each others toys often, which makes Christmas doubly exciting.

Hope yours was as relaxing and enjoyable as ours.