8.31.2012

Lunch With Emme…

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Emme’s tooth is barely hanging on…I pray she does not swallow it!!! :-)

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8.29.2012

Breakfast…

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Homemade Pumpkin Granola…my new favorite breakfast!!!

8.27.2012

Masha…

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Masha is back and we are glad!!!

I Am Not Alone…

A new school year brings with it many emotions.  Even though I love a quiet morning with a cup of coffee, being able to hear the clock tick and enjoy the calm of no battles or bickering, the minute I say good-bye and watch the kids go up the steps I feel a sense of loneliness. 

Today, I returned home from drop-off, warmed up my coffee, curled up on the couch, covered up with my favorite quilt my Grandma made…and wanted to cry {for no apparent reason} and felt all alone.  I picked up Jesus Calling and as if Jesus was sharing a cup of coffee with me, I read…

I am all around you, hovering over you even as you seek My Face.  I am nearer than you dare to believe, closer than the air you breathe.  If My children could only recognize My Presence, they would never feel lonely again.  I know every thought before you think it, every word before you speak it.

Be blessed by My intimate nearness.  Since I live in you, let Me also live through you, shining My light into the darkness.

This is my hope for today.

8.22.2012

Letting Go…

Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into my protective care.  They are much safer with Me than with in your clinging hands.  If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that loved one~as well as yourself.  Remember the extreme measure I used with Abraham and Isaac.  I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham of son-worship.  Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father’s undisciplined emotions.  I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.

When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others to My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch to see what I will do.  ~Jesus Calling

This is one of my biggest struggles and really pierced my heart today.  I know that God has an amazing plan for my children.  I should be able to rest in that and “go forth trusting”…but instead, I often find myself trapped in the quicksand of worry.

The First Bell…

Every mom is created to love their kids, protect them, encourage them…and to think they have the cutest kids in the World!!!  I seriously love these faces and even though there have been moments in which I have counted the seconds until school starts…I am always filled with emotions as I see time passing and recognize that we are another year closer to COLLEGE!!! :-(

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They are so cute, full of life and such a blessing!!!

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Emme’s 2nd Grade Class…

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Gideon’s 4th Grade Teachers…

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I am not sure what Emme was thinking, but this picture is sooo funny…her distress and the fun of the others!!!

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And one final playdate to celebrate the end of summer!!!

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Join me in praying for a fabulous 2012-2013 School Year!!!

8.21.2012

Celebration…

Walked to Papa John’s for Pizza to celebrate the end of summer!!!

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I thought the outfit color schemes…even though random…were funny!!!

Back To School Preparations…

School supplies~CHECK!

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Super cute treat bags for the teachers {Thanks PINTEREST!!!}~CHECK!

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Bath, hair curled, outfit selected~CHECK!

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8.19.2012

My Little “Helper”…

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I asked her to pick up her toys…she first made this contraption {which took forever and required many adjustments}, tried to toss her toys in the basket {while wearing it}…creating a bigger mess than before, finally surrendered defeat and simply carried her animals to their homes.

8.18.2012

Life With No Electricity…

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Fierce!!!

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Gid has been lifting weights with Keith and every time he finishes he says, “WOW!!!  My muscles are getting so big!!!”

8.17.2012

Movie Night…

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Emme wanted to get all dressed up to go to the movies!!!

The Domino Effect…

One project is like falling dominos…leads to more and more projects!!!

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Half of our apartment heaters were the originals and had rusted pipes.  Replacing the heaters inspired a massive cleaning and purging mission.

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Now, we must do some redecorating!!! 

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Any suggestions? :-)

8.12.2012

8.10.2012

Emme…

Got new glasses…

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and lost a tooth!!!