I Know Who Holds My Hand

Last night I was talking to Lauren about something that we are praying about as a family. She began to ask me questions about what if things don't work out the way she wants and why did God close a door that looked like it might be the answer we have been praying for. She had a lot of what ifs in the conversation. I began to tell her that I don't have the answers, but right now we have to trust that God's plan is best and keep praying. That is when a chorus came back to my mind from my childhood. Once again I am thankful for the rich heritage of learning hymns as a child. I could not remember all the words but was able to get a little bit of it out singing what I could remember. Well, this morning I found the song online and am encouraged that even though we don't have the big picture view right now we do know that our Lord is holding our hands, and He knows about all of our tomorrows.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
words and music by Ira Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Abbie Joy Seven Months

I'm late on posting Abbie Joy's seven month photo, but here are a few I took on June eleventh. She is growing so fast. She is getting around by rolling and scooting around and just starting to crawl.

My Three Fishies

Well, I've spent less time blogging lately, and a big part of the reason is that I've spent five days a week for the last month taking Lauren, Gabriel, and Annagrace to swim lessons at the Housoton Swim Club. It has been a big time commitment, but I am very happy with how well they are doing. It brings joy to me to know that they are becoming stronger swimmers as I want them to be as safe as possible in water settings. They have worked hard and made a lot of progress. BTW I highly recommend the Houston Swim Club. This is our third spring with them, and we have always been pleased.

Kindergarten Graduation

I don't know how it is possible, but my little man has graduated from kindergarten. Our church has a ceremony for all the kindergarten grads each year. It is a special time to celebrate their accomplishment in finishing their first year of schooling. It is the time when they leave the church preschool department and go to the grade school department. Gabriel received a special graduation bear.
We listen to many cds as part of our schooling, and one has a song I tell Gabriel is my song for him. It is called A Man of God. It goes like this:

I don't care if you play football or play in the band,
I don't care if you're a doctor or a garbage man,
It doesn't matter if you're good in school or great at art,
There's just one thing I care with all my heart;

That you grow up to be a man of God,
That you use His Word as a measuring rod,
That you love your neighbor as yourself,
That you do not trust in this world's wealth,
That you grow up to be a man of God.

I don't care if you're a loner or have lots of friends,
I don't care if your clothes are new or they have lots of mends,
It doesn't matter if you're tall and thin, or short and round,
There's just one important thing that I have found;

That you grow up to be a man of God,
That you use His Word as a measuring rod,
That you love your neighbor as yourself, That you do not trust in this world's wealth, That you grow up to be a man of God.

I think that is the sweetest little song, and it certainly is my prayer for Gabriel. Above all else I want my son to grow up into a man of God.

Happy Half Birthday, Abbie Joy!

How can Abbie Joy be six months already??? My baby is growing up too fast. Some of the fun things she is doing..........

Rolling around the floor
Sitting up
Using her hands well
Chuckling really loud
Smiling from ear to ear
Getting real snuggly when she is tired
Saying Mama

Here are some Pictures of her. Notice we have a sitting up picture now. :)




Here is something a friend sent on an email group. I really love this:


Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried..
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .



May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life

Disturbing Demographics

Be Fruitful and Multiply

Before you read this post please check out the new You Tube video, Demographics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU Now that you have watched the video don't those statistics astound you? They certainly were shocking to me. Basically couples around the world have been on a steady decline in the numbers of children they are having. Some groups of people, such as Muslims, have done the opposite. I won't restate what the video states so clearly; my point here is just to give encouragement to christian couples that it is a very worthy calling to raise up godly seed to carry Christ's name into future generations. Whether raising one child or ten we should all realize the awesome responsibility we have been entrusted with. These children are the future. The world is quickly changing, and these children need to be equipped to stand boldly for Christ. It is imperative that they be trained to be sharp arrows that we shoot out into the world to make a difference for Christ's kingdom. They won't become equipped, sharp arrows on their own. That is where our parental work and sacrifice come to play.
When you see the statistics as stated in the video it can be disheartening. We can think thoughts such as, "What difference can our little family make?" I believe we can make a huge impact when we are intentional. In the above picture you can see a recent trip our family took to the zoo with Matt's sister and her children along with Matt's brother, his wife and their children. Look at all the children that have been born in the last eight years just from our three families. There were nine children! What if all of those children are faithful to the work of the Lord? Then there will be nine ambassadors for Christ!
Also, Matt and I were thinking about our own family. We have four children. What if all of our children had four children. Then we would have sixteen grandchildren! Those sixteen grandchildren plus our four children would be twenty descendants from Matt and me. Do you see this vision of generational faithfulness I'm talking about?
I fully recognize that God does not call everyone to have large families, however, as a whole I believe our culture has devalued children. Our culture looks at them as burdens rather than blessings. Our culture values luxuries and comforts above the "inconveniences" of children. When we go back to Scripture we are reminded that,

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are children born in one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. - Psalm 127:3


Matt and I feel blessed to have our four children. More and more I realize that while they are a LOT of hard work they are also my heartbeat, my passion, and my ministry. We thank the Lord that He has given us four arrows to one day shoot out into this world to make a difference for Him. May we be found faithful.

What a Great Reminder!!!

I read this quote today and just had to share it.

As we walk this road of motherhood, our children will find innumerable ways to offend us and to seemingly focus intently on thwarting our best efforts to disciple and nurture them. Yet when we walk in love, freely giving our lives to our children (and husbands), they are able to see and wholeheartedly respond to us and the God who makes us who we are. We walk in love by pouring our sympathy on their small hurts, our encouragement on their accomplishments, our comforts in their trials, and our unfailing belief in the unique ways God has designed their personalities and abilities so that He can use them for His glory. Every day, every minute, we should be letting love determine our attitudes, words and actions toward our children.

Determining to “walk in love” with our children also frees us from the fear that they may someday fail in life. And they will fail, no matter how perfect we are, because they are human. And we will fail, too, because we are fallen. God does not ask us to be in perfect control of our children and their lives. He only asks us to emulate His model of daily, lived love for His own disciples.

–from The Mom Walk by Sally Clarkson

Look Who Is a Happy Five Month Old!!!

Abbie Joy turned Five Months last Saturday. I love this picture, because she looks like she is very proud of her birthday. :) I absolutely cannot put into words what a blessing she is to our family. When I think back and remember that there were times after Lauren and Gabriel when I was not sure if we could handle more children, it just blows my mind to think of what we would have missed had we not had a third and a fourth child. I think the Lord grows us gradually into His purposes for us. At that time I had only grown enough for the two, but I am so thankful that the Lord has been faithful to teach me and gently guide me as we have added each new little life to our family.
Abbie Joy has the most adorable smile and the sweetest demeanor. She will often snuggle up to me and just rest so contentedly. She truly is a joy spot in my life, so I guess we picked the right name for her. There are many moments when the four children overwhelm us, however, the overall big picture is that we have been incredibly blessed. We are so thankful that the Lord has entrusted these children into our care. We pray that we will be found faithful.


Here is a quote that expresses my heart and passion for the job I do at home with our children.

"The most important occupation on the earth for a woman is to be a real mother to her children. It does not have much glory in it; there is a lot of grit and grime. But there is no greater place of ministry, position, or power than that of a mother."

That being said, I know that I am unable to be the mother I aspire to be apart from the Lord. Sometimes instead of praying for strength for the day I find myself praying for strength for the next moment. :) My encouragement is that "He Who has called me is faithful." To Him be the glory.

Ruth

We Hope Your Easter Was Blessed

Here is a picture of our family before church yesterday.  We seldom take pictures with all of us together because it is not an easy task.  :)  

  We had an encouraging day at church and enjoyed having Lauren and Gabriel worship with us.  They normally go to their own classes, but yesterday we all went to the service together.  It was sweet to see Lauren trying to sing along even on songs that she did not know.  She also drew me a picture  that said, "Happy Easter; He is risen."  In synopsis our pastor reminded us that we have hope in any trial because He has risen!  

Royal Acadamy of Ballet Exam

Lauren and her friend Ella

Lauren's ballet school goes by the syllabus from the Royal Academy of Dance. Part of this program is taking a spring exam. We have been working hard with extra practices over the past month. It is amazing to see how much progress the girls make as they work really hard for the exam. It is a good time of sharpening skills.

Lauren and Mama with flowers Mama gave her


Lauren in character dance attire. The roots of ballet stem from the character dancing in the royal courts in France in days long ago. Lauren is wearing a character skirt and shoes.

The Sweet Encouragement of Friends!

The Sweet Encouragement of Friends!










My friend, Ely, knows that I am trying to get my feet off the ground in the blogging world. :) She wanted to send me encouragement and so she gave me this blog award. How encouraging this was to me. Thank you, Ely! It is a sweet reminder of how the Lord has designed his people to edify and build each other up. Ely, I love your blog too!!! Here is a link to her wonderful blog:

http://hiswonderfulworks.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-award.html

Ruth

Upwards Basketball with Coach Daddy

















Gabriel started his first sport a few weeks ago, and last Saturday was his first game. His daddy is his coach. It was precious to see them hold hands and pray before they started the game. Each week they have practice which includes a little Bible study and a memory verse to memorize. I got to go see Gabriel play, and my favorite move was when he came to the side lines and said, "I love you, Mama." Precious!!! Well, the first game was lost but boy were they cute!

The Little Things

Valentine Roses From Matt

Sister Kisses

I came across this quote the other day and it really resonated with me.
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize
they were the big things."
So, here are some of the "little things" in my life that one day
will be remembered
as the "BIG THINGS."

Baby Funniness
Baby Toes
Crafts
Flowers for Mama

It's Birthday Time!

March is birthday time in our household
following on the heels of Daddy's birthday which
comes in late February. This year we had a jumping party at Inflatable Zone. We had a bouncy good time. We had a similar party for Lauren and
Gabriel when they were turning four and two.
How the time has flown. This time around
Lauren turned eight and Gabriel is turning six on Friday. Four years just went by like a flash.
Our party had the themes of Barbie Ballerina and Transformers. We are thankful for all the
special people who celebrated with us.

Four Months!

Sweet Abbie Joy is four months old today. She is now turning over and babbling a lot. She will converse with us in her baby jibber jabber which is adorable. She loves her pacifier, but if it is not handy she sucks on her fingers. She also pulls her bib up to her mouth and chews on it. I have to say she is a chubby bundle of cuteness and such a gift from the Lord. She was by far my most difficult pregnancy, but she is worth every minute of the pregnancy. :) God's gifts are always good, and we praise Him for Abbie Joy.

Our Lollipop Is Eight Years Old!!!

How can it be that my firstborn is eight years old??? Lauren had a special birthday with her family yesterday. It really dawned on me how much she is growing up when I put eight candles on the cake. I am very thankful for the pure, sweet, sincere heart Lauren has. She is blossoming into a helpful and wise young lady. I was touched by her kindness yesterday when she emptied the dishwasher on her own without being asked. She just took the initiative and on her birthday!!! The Lord has given her a very sincere heart and much wisdom about the truth of His Word. Lauren is truly a blessing to our family, and we thank the Lord for giving her to us.

Last Thursday night we took Annagrace for a haircut. She was so excited! We had to leave and come back in half an hour, and you would have thought her world had collapsed. She was so excited to get all prettied up. When we returned she sat in the chair with a straight face the whole time. It was hysterical how serious she was about it. Afterwards the hair dresser braided a strand and put a pretty purple bow in it. I think Annagrace felt very pretty, but her favorite part of all was the lollipop she was given at the end.

What Does Little Birdie Say?

Our parents watch over us and take care of us until it is time for us to leave home.

I ran across this poem, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, today while reading to Gabriel. It is a strong reminder of how fleeting the days are that we have to teach and train our children.

What does little birdie say
In her nest at peep of day?
"Let me fly," says little birdie."
"Mother, let me fly away."

Birdie, rest a little longer, Till the little wings are stronger.
So she rests a little longer,
Then she flies away.

What does little baby say
In her bed at peep of day?
Baby says, like little birdie,
"Let me rise and fly away."

Baby, sleep a little longer,
Till the little limbs are stronger.
If she sleeps a little longer,
Baby too shall fly away.

This poem is sobering, but it made me think again about how I am using the swiftly passing days I have with my children. Am I too busy? Are we at home enough? Am I talking enough, reading enough, praying enough? Am I modeling the character I want them to emulate? Am I leading gently, kindly but consistently? To be honest I probably fall short of what I want to be doing more times than not. This is, however, where my heart is. I want to be equipping and training in righteousness while my little birdies are still in my nest. I would love to hear from you; what are your thoughts on your time with your little birdies? How are you preparing them to fly?

Everyday Life

View Project at Shutterfly

Great Hymns of the Faith

I grew up on the great hymns of our faith which are now becoming more and more a thing of the past. I love the newer praise choruses as well, however, the hymns are beautiful because they are very rich in doctrine. Presently I am using an inspiring hymn book in my quiet times. The book is pictured above with the title. It is a beautiful book with rough edges on the pages to give an antiquated appearance. For every hymn there is a story of its origin beside it. It is awesome to learn the stories behind the hymns I have been singing my whole life. In fact, I was hearing the hymns in the womb before I was born. I am thankful that these beautiful expressions of praise to God have been such a rich part of my upbringing.
Even though my kids are growing up in different times I am still trying to connect them to the hymns as well. Today I read about the very old hymn Fairest Lord Jesus. What peaked my interest about it is that it was written by Roman Catholic Jesuits in Germany. It originally appeared in 1677 in a hymnbook titled Munster Gesangbuch. Anything about Germany peaks my interest after living there for a short while back in '07.

I like stanza Two:

Fair are the meadows; Fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring. Jesus is fairer; Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fun at the New Katy Park

Today was a nice day to try out a new park near our house. We had a picnic lunch and then played. We're definitely looking forward to our next visit!

Rolling Downhill










Sliding!










Climbing!












We Love Home School Recess!

Three Month Old Angel Baby!

Abigail Joy is three months old today. Where has the time gone? She is getting so big. When I took her for her last check up she was in the ninetieth percentile in everything. She is a growing girl!!! She has been an absolute delight to our whole family. After having four babies, with four different personalities, we have to say Abbie Joy is the angel baby the books refer to. She is the sweetest, easiest going thing we've ever seen. She rarely fusses unless she is hungry or is in need of a diaper change. She just sits, smiles, and coos a great deal of the time. She is the first baby we've been able to schedule from the very get go. She is like a little clock that predictably wakes every three hours for her next feeding. Matt and I are so thankful to the Lord for His mercies in giving us such an easy baby the fourth time around. We ask ourselves if it is all her personality, which it mostly is, but we also have to admit we've learned a few things as parents too. This time around we feel like we really know what we're doing so much more. Isn't it amazing how parenting changes us and teaches us much we never knew? I believe God gives us children fully intending them to grow us, stretch us, and prune us like nothing else can. I'm just thankful He doesn't expect us to do this huge task called parenting in our own strength. His plan is to lend us these blessings, and He wants us to be His instruments in raising them. He wants to raise them through parents who are willing to be empty vessels. Well, those are some of my thoughts today on our sweet baby girl and on what I am learning as a mommy. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this DREAM BABY who is fitting into our family so well. Please help us to be faithful to teach her Your ways and point her to you. Amen

Little Mama in Training

We gave Annagrace this doll when she came to meet her new baby sister in the hospital. She was ecstatic over it. She loves to feed her doll and take care of it. I am happy to see that God given, motherly instinct showing up in her at such an early age. I want to encourage her loving, nurturing side and affirm her in her femininity. I want Annagrace to grow up knowing that being a godly wife and mother is a very high calling. I want her to know that running a home and training the hearts of her children is a job with eternal benefits.

My Little Man

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20,21)


I was introducing the kids to my new blog this morning, and Gabriel requested that a picture of JUST HIM!!! be posted. :) I love my little man. Being the only boy in our family makes him uniquely special. I remember when I was pregnant with him the Lord impressed upon my heart the words from Ephesians written above. The Lord was speaking to my heart that my son would be more than I could imagine and do you know what??? Gabriel has been an absolute delight to his Mama's heart. Having a little boy has been a real joy. I thought I would bullet point some of the things I love about this little man in my life.

1. His adorable smile
2. The way he says, "I Love you, Mama."
3. His overabundance of hugs and kisses
4. The way he loves and wants to protect his sisters
5. He ponders things deeply and comes out with some amazing thoughts. Recently he told Matt, "Daddy, I don't know much about crystals, but I sure know I love you."
6. He is just so stinking cute!
7. I love to see him dressed up as Robin Hood, Superman, a Knight, a Pirate, a Pilgrim and many other things in his imagination. It is amazing how he utilizes different costume pieces to create the characters he wants to be.
8. He can be super funny and have everyone rolling with laughter.
   
9. I love the many mornings he has come in with his Nemo pillow and snuggled in bed with me at the start of a new day. (Yes, he is my early riser; always has been)
   
10. I love our special times reading together.

O.k. I could go on and on, but can you tell I love my little man? Yea, I REALLY do!!!