Sunday, January 25, 2009

I have to get one of these!!

http://parleepockets.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-giveaway.html

This is the cutest thing and it has the same fabric that we used in the playroom.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

God is workin' it out!!

The start of 2009 has been the best start to a year that I have had in a long time. God has really changed my heart on some things and I am excited. "God is workin' it out!!" is going to be the theme for me this year. I started a Beth Moore bible study called "Esther" yesterday. And I am beyond ready for it. Not only has it been a while since I did a women's study but the way that God worked out for me to be there is just incredible!

A few weeks ago, my step-mom and I were talking about how I needed to get involved in a weekly study. One that requires homework to keep me in the Word daily. That has become a struggle for me. So I started looking for one. That same day I was at Hobby Lobby and I overheard a lady on the phone talking about her church doing a Beth Moore study. So when she got off the phone, I asked her about it. She told me where it was and it "happened" to be at the same church Madison was going to be taking a class at. Now, Madison taking a class anywhere, in and of itself, is a HUGE deal. For her and for me. But Tim and I had decided that we really needed to do it. God orchestrated it perfectly that she was able to get into the class of a woman who had been recommended as a teacher who would be great for Madison's attachment issues. Not only that, but Leah was also able to get into her own class at the same time as Madi due to someone cancelling.

So, I went home to check out the website and lo and behold, the bible study was offered the same day that the kids would be in their classes. At the same time! Tell me that's not a God thing.

Now let me say here that I don't leave my kids with people that I don't know well. NEVER do I do this. But like I said, God's workin' it out and who am I to argue?

So last week was the first week of classes for the kids. Madi cried and had to be pried from my leg but God gave me the strength to leave her. He placed a friend of mine right out in the hallway to distract my thinking and He gave Madison the strength to stop crying and enjoy herself. How awesome is that to know that something as insignificant in the universe is important to my God!!

Yesterday was the first day of my study. And the enemy was on it. It was a rough morning and Tim said to me later that he expected to get a call that said I was not going. But we pressed on. And praise the Lord, it was a great day. Madison didn't cry when I left her. I was able to find my way around this BIG church I am not familiar with at all. I left Vivian in her nursery class and she didn't cry. I went to the study and amidst the 150+ women there, immediately saw my friend and that helped me not feel so out of my element. I slipped out to pick Madi and Leah up from their classes and they were eager to go to their "fun" class while mommy was in study. God placed them in the same class which made the transition easier. I (being the nutso-mom that I am,) had gone down to meet their teacher before bible study, and she was expecting them to arrive late. Neither one of them cried when I left them!! I went back to study and hadn't missed any of the teaching. I absolutely LOVE the bible study. It's such a practical application of God's word for women. And I so thankful that God worked it so perfectly for me to be there and study His word.

2008 was hard year for my family. For me physically and emotionally, for our marriage, for the kids having a mom that was in a rut, etc. And I am finally in a place that I can honestly say I am thankful for it. God has done MIGHTY, MIGHTY things in my life and I can't wait to see what's up next.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

A few recent pictures


This is what my computer screen looked like last week after I left the room and "no one" touched it. Riiiiiiight. Thankfully I was able to get on my laptop and google to see how to fix it.
The new furniture!
This is the new table and chairs. I LOVE them!!
The ultimate in lazy behavior.
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

After more than two years....

We finally got our black, square, Pottery Barn table and chairs!!! We have been looking for this set (used) for a very long time. And finally someone had a set on Craigslist. And the woman was selling a hutch to go with it. We normally wouldn't have even looked at one, but since it came as a set we tried to put it in the dining room. It wouldn't fit but it does fit in the kitchen and I love it!! And what's even better, is that Tim went to the outlet today and found the EXACT same chairs, so now we have 10 chairs. It looks like it was made for our house. I am so excited!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Translations

My girls have their own names for our favorite songs.

"Juliet" (or as Vivi says "Juwiet") is "Love Story" by Taylor Swift (They have a friend named Juliet)
"Mama's Phone song" is "Our song" by Taylor Swift (This stems from me having this song as my ringer on my cell phone 9 months ago)
"Baby Song" is "All American Girl" by Carrie Underwood
"Dog Song" is "The More Boys I meet" by Carrie Underwood
"Barlow Girl by herself" is "Never Alone" by BarlowGirl
"Barlow Girl and Selah" is "I will Sing of my Redeemer" by Selah and BarlowGirl
"Selah" is #4 on the Selah cd. I am not even sure what the actual name is
"My favorite song" is "Mighty Mighty Savior" from Sovereign Grace
"Bayo" AKA "FLATTS!!" is "Me and My Gang" by Rascal Flatts

Thursday, January 8, 2009

I don't know about you....

but as a bargain shopper, I can't imagine not being able to buy and sell 2nd hand clothes for my kids. And that's exactly what is going to happen as of Feb 10th. No more Ebay, craigslist, yard sales, etc for kids clothes or books. This is CRAZY to me!!

This is the link to sign a petition and when you put in your zipcode, it will be sent it to your senators.
Make second-hand clothes legal

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Our visit to FL

We had the privilege of visiting our friends in Tampa this week. They have 4 kids too. They were so sweet to host us and we had a great time!


This is what taking 8 children to the mall looks like!


Tim with Vivian

At Build-A-Bear



Giving "Nugget" a bath
Getting our animals dressed


The girls with their animals, all dressed and ready to go

Mackenzie, Jesse and Gretchen. Jesse was such a great sport hanging with all these girls
All 8 of the kids


My man on the drive
Ann and Gretchen at the beach
Madi and Leah chasing the birds

Hanging out on the beach
Shannon playing in the sand
Leah building the biggest sand castle ever
Did I mention we were at the beach on New Year's Eve?
6 of the 8 on playing on the beach
The "wurst" food at the beach. This cracked me up!
Yes, there are redneck trucks in Tampa
And another funny ride


At the Frog Pond for lunch
Christmas decorations at the beach

Jumping rope
The girls having a great time together