That moment of peace

The moment leaves so quickly but I'm ever so grateful to have received even just a moment of it.

The air is cool.

The wind is kissing.

The children are quiet.

The view is blue water and pink skies. 

And the lord is right there.. As if sitting beside you having some coffee and in mid conversation. You know that moment?

I think that's where the lord wants our hearts always.. 

Trusting- 

loving- 

enjoying all that he is and all that he's given us.. 

             .................................

Ive been dreading this trip for weeks-even to the point of anxiety in packing and I couldn't even put a shirt in my bag without forgetting what I was doing and why I was doing it. I was so blocked. So hardened. Sin had crept in and taken a strong hold of me- causing me to be blocked..forgetting the miracles of my God my eyes have seen. I was so caught up in me...

There's something about my soul that just likes simple. And while I knew that- I forgot that somewhere too... That camping was simple. That I love this simple- that I thrive on this simple..

I couldn't have orchestrated a better weekend and I'm so glad I didn't have to..

Good morning :)

Piper and (home)school

Piper started school this week! She amazes me everyday by how much she absorbs from life at such a young age- not just things I teach her but things I don't- which is scary and rewarding at the same time.

I found a "curriculum" via pinterest and added geography and bible to it. It is adaptable for ages 2-4 so if she doesn't totally get it we can just do it over again next year. I feel certain that if I am diligent to actually go through all 26 weeks with her(i'm going to need some encouragement folks) she will be well on her way to learning and growing in knowledge and in the Lord. 

This week we learned about cows(which she already knows a great deal about from living on the farm) the number 1, the letter A, and the shape square. We also learned where Missouri and Oregon are on a map and put Genesis 1:1 to memory.

She was so excited and loved every minute of learning. I think her favorite part though was going to the library to check out books- we haven't been in several months since we moved out so far and are kinda far from one- but she kept asking to go so I obliged. We got every book she wanted (12 books) that she picked out all by herself.

I am excited about this adventure with her and really feel like she benefits from the alone time to teach her while FinleyBoy is sleeping or when daddy's at home.

PB2

There's a lot on my mind right now, but because I don't care to be personal at the moment I will mention PB2 to you..

 

In my mind it's a peanut butter substitute for clean eating..the ingredients are simple and I can pronounce them all..it comes in powder form and you add a tablespoon of water to it to make it the consistency of peanut butter..

You can add it to just about anything--smoothies,oatmeal,Greek yogurt, you name it..

There's a chocolate one too with the only added ingredient being cocoa powder...

Dude- the stuff is an awesome sweet tooth quencher at only 45 calories.. I just whipped some up and ate it right off the spoon ☺

You should definitely check it out if you are looking for low sugar options and clean eating..

I got mine at vitacost.com- if you click through this link and sign up you will get $10 off your first purchase(and so will I) but guess what? You can turn around and do the same.

Win. Win.

Man what a prayer...

Jesus-friend of sinners...

we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name 

but the sword was never ours to swing...

Jesus-friend of sinners...

the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus-friend of sinners...

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus-friend of sinners...

break our hearts for what breaks yours

Jesus-friend of sinners...

the one who's writing in the sand

Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet 

lyrics of Jesus, friend of sinners by Casting Crowns...

Finley Boy (10 months)

Something else happened last thursday(other than our anniversary)...Finley Boy turned 10 months old. 

Here's a post for you little buddy...

Sweet Boy- you are growing like a weed.  Up until now you have been the easiest baby....Now you are very mobile and very everywhere-...in the cabinets-in the shower-in the closets- (in the toliet--yuk) under the couch-you climb into tiny spaces and scream because you cant get out... you are exploring like crazy and keeping momma on her toes!

You LOVE your big sister- especially pulling her hair and wrestling her.. you always want to be right where she is..and you always smile at her first when we go and wake you up from your nap...

you can sign please, all done, and milk. which is very helpful when im trying to figure out why you're screaming..if you say "Finley-kiss" he'll slam his face on top of yours..

some things you love- to eat! (tomatoes, noodles, veggie sticks) to put things in your mouth(well everything) to snuggle with momma and to splash in the water..

some words i use to describe you- mostly Ham others are curious, determined, persistent, happy, cute.

i love you sweet boy you have brought so much joy to my life- you keep me moving and you keep me laughing..

there's not a day that goes by that I don't whisper in your ear-"Thank you, Jesus"

DIY Haircut: A tutorial

My parents use to listen to Barbara Colorosso tapes while we were growing up--one of the things she says and that my dad would say to us often when we were faced with decisions or if we wanted to do something  was "If it's not morally threatening, life threatening, and it will grow back- let it be...."

I found this idea on pinterest and thought "hey-im due for a haircut anyway so it's worth a try" 

I called Paul to let him know that I was about to whack my hair but that we needed to be in agreement that if it didn't go well- Ill be needing to make an appointment with the hair dresser... he said that was fine- so I grabbed some scissors...

First thing i did was wet my hair from about the middle down... I then flipped my head over and gathered my hair in a ponytail on top of my head like this--

Piper kept saying "you look silly mommy"

i then pulled the ponytail holder down to the length I wanted to cut off..

 

 then I pulled a little more because i got scared...

 

 and then i did the deed...cutting the hair off right at the holder.  I was a little scared until i pulled the pony tail holder off and flipped back over...it was nice and layered and I was surprisingly happy with it...but the length for the most part was still there...

 

this may be the totally wrong way to go about cutting length but i then pulled it from the sides over my shoulders(pulling the longest layers from back to front) and cut some length off until each side looked even with the other..

Overall-Im really happy with it. I really like the layers and feel like they are a good length.(layers are really cute in a pony)  I think that this tute works best for longer hair/because it gives you some room for error.  It's also good for thick hair because of all the layers...

i would totally do it again...

4 years

 

Today marks 4 years with the mr. so thankful for this partner in life.  we have grown individually and together since that day. 

we have laughed.cried.and become parents again.  

we have moved twice. done our share of remodeling houses.

been taught lessons and received many blessings. 

we have had a season of growth over the past year that I cant be more thankful for.  so glad this all happened with you.  can't wait to see what the next year holds-lord willing with you by my side.

 

I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do.

-Corrie ten Boom

 

*pictures by Renee Reedy