Well, I never thought I would be writing this tonight and that is one of the things that makes it so special.
I kind of feel inadequate to even write such a thing. Tanner is saved. Tanner is SAVED. My baby asked to pray to be SAVED tonight.?!
Awesome.
I've just been crying and I'm fighting back tears now because suddenly the dishes don't seem to matter. The fact that there's usually more water in the floor than in the tub at bathtime and that I still have to bribe both kids to brush their teeth doesn't matter. Supper is burnt more than I would like to admit and you know what…..it doesn't matter.
To God be the glory-I must be doing something right. Something that matters.
Nothing in this world matters more. I know I'm rambling. Please just bear with me-I'm kind of beside myself right now and I want to get this written down before I forget a single detail.
I suppose I should have seen it coming. Lately Tanner's been saying…."God is with me. Or is he?!" He has also been asking to read about Heaven. He flips to the last story in his little children's bible and we've discussed that story and the fact that Jesus is coming back soon a lot lately.
As we were laying in bed tonight he said, "I want to pray. I want to get down on my knees and pray." Of course I quickly jumped to the side of the bed and helped him down. I asked him if he wanted to pray for anything or anyone in particular and he said, "No. I want to pray for me." I asked him if he wanted to be saved and he shook his little head yes.
Tim came into the room and we just prayed for about a minute or two. Nothing fancy-but he did ask for forgiveness of his sins and he asked Jesus to come into his heart. I did hear him say, "God I know you're with me and I'm with you."
He later told me he knew that now he was going to Heaven.
I'm kind of amazed that he put this much of the salvation plan together by himself.
I don't think I'm capable of expressing what this means to me folks. God knows.
The salvation embers must have lit quite the fire because then Tl wanted to go into the living room and pray for everybody :) If you are in our family-or extended family I want you to know that Tanner prays for you. Isn't that precious? He has his own little specific things that he mentions about each one of you. I don't want to embarrass anybody so I'll keep what he mentions about you a secret:)
I was trying to remember tonight if I can recall when I was saved as a child. I do remember my dad coming to me when we still lived in Ohio-so I must have been about 5 or 6-and talking to me about being saved. Do you know what I remember most about that conversation? The fact that I was uncomfortable. Conviction was already dealing with me at that early of an age.
I'm so glad I gave my life to Christ. And one of my children has now done the same thing.
It's a little more than I can wrap my head around.
John 3:16-17…..it really IS that simple.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Tea Time
Each year at the kid's birthdays I like to put on some pretty clothes and take some pictures of them. I don't think this has ever actually happened on-or even in the week of their birthday. I just get too busy.
So here Quinley is at 2 years and 2 months. I got TL in a few of them too and I thought they turned out adorable. But I think maybe the first pic is my favorite?!
Enjoy.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Disney
The memories, the magic and you….. ahhh. I miss our trip already.
It seems like you plan and plan and them boom. It's all over.
I heard the kids talking in the bath tub today. Tanner was telling Quinley something that we are going to do when we "go back to Disney." lol. If he could channel some genius idea into a small fortune of sorts-maybe we will go back!
The trip there and back was pretty effortless. Trading in a 14 hr. car ride for about 3 hrs on a plane, who knew right?! ha
I made the collage above from pictures of the first day. That castle, I'm just kind of in love with it. And my little beauties in these pictures. We spent a lot of this day on the carousel. We also rode the flying dumbo and watched a 3d show that scared the kids to death!
The next day we went to a character breakfast. When Mickey Mouse walked in the room it was like J.Lo had just entered the building. Everyone went nuts! Tanner would not stop hugging him.
The Animal Kingdom was fun. It was like going to a zoo-just about 10 x better. The Lion King show was a big hit for us. The kids loved it.
Q and I got our faces painted like Tinkerbell:)
We watched a cool parade, went on a safari, ate some ice cream and went back to the hotel to crash. Fun times.
The highlight of our trip came the next day-for me at least. The kids just played in the pool all morning and napped in the afternoon. They were really able to enjoy the evening/night shows this way. Very pleasant children=very happy mother. There is really not enough to say about the show at the Magic Kingdom at night. If you have kids, you should try to take them. They will be in love-and so will you.
It is so hard for me to choose which pictures to post. I got a little camera happy and so did Tim. He get's the credit for all the great castle/firework shots.
The last day at the parks we went to Sea World. My mom and dad took us there several times growing up and it was always a fascinating place for me. I think the fascination has been passed on to my little's as well.
For the last two days of our trip we relaxed at the beach. I really do mean relax-sort of. Going to the beach with two kids has gotten easier. Everything is easier. But they are still 2 and 3. We had our moments :)
Here are some highlights from those days
It was a great trip-but there's no place like home. I hope to continue to make many wonderful memories this summer with the wonderful family God has blessed me with.
It seems like you plan and plan and them boom. It's all over.
I heard the kids talking in the bath tub today. Tanner was telling Quinley something that we are going to do when we "go back to Disney." lol. If he could channel some genius idea into a small fortune of sorts-maybe we will go back!
I made the collage above from pictures of the first day. That castle, I'm just kind of in love with it. And my little beauties in these pictures. We spent a lot of this day on the carousel. We also rode the flying dumbo and watched a 3d show that scared the kids to death!
The next day we went to a character breakfast. When Mickey Mouse walked in the room it was like J.Lo had just entered the building. Everyone went nuts! Tanner would not stop hugging him.
The Animal Kingdom was fun. It was like going to a zoo-just about 10 x better. The Lion King show was a big hit for us. The kids loved it.
We watched a cool parade, went on a safari, ate some ice cream and went back to the hotel to crash. Fun times.
The highlight of our trip came the next day-for me at least. The kids just played in the pool all morning and napped in the afternoon. They were really able to enjoy the evening/night shows this way. Very pleasant children=very happy mother. There is really not enough to say about the show at the Magic Kingdom at night. If you have kids, you should try to take them. They will be in love-and so will you.
It is so hard for me to choose which pictures to post. I got a little camera happy and so did Tim. He get's the credit for all the great castle/firework shots.
The last day at the parks we went to Sea World. My mom and dad took us there several times growing up and it was always a fascinating place for me. I think the fascination has been passed on to my little's as well.
For the last two days of our trip we relaxed at the beach. I really do mean relax-sort of. Going to the beach with two kids has gotten easier. Everything is easier. But they are still 2 and 3. We had our moments :)
Here are some highlights from those days
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The Joy Jesus Gives
We just got back from Disney yesterday and I really wanted to get on here and put up a big long post full of pictures about the trip. But I just have something so different on my heart. I'm going to share one picture at the end and save the rest of that for later in the week.
Lately I have met so many desperate people that my heart just breaks for them.
Sometimes I think I must be drawn to these people because they just seem to find me. Even while I was on vacation my heart just felt like it would bleed right out of my chest for two complete strangers-one of whom sat down and shared her heart with me. I am so thankful she did so, I just hope I had the right words or pointed in the right direction. Honestly, I'm not capable of helping much. However, if I can point someone in the direction of the cross-that's EXACTLY what I'm going to do. Because that's where life begins and that's where and the ONLY place where you will find help. I know it. I know it beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Don't get me wrong-I know that this blog doesn't have a big audience and that is totally fine with me. But you just never know who might be feeling a little hopeless and need some encouragement.
The reason that my heart feels so heavy is just because I want everyone, and I mean that EVERYONE to experience the joy in their life that only Jesus can give. We all-myself included- have times in our life when we veer too far to the right or left and those paths just lead to heartache, hopelessness and despair.
That's exactly what the Devil intends for them to do.
Because if he can keep us there, traveling those same roads then we will be walking in circles away from the truth, the light and the only thing that can bring us true joy. In the gospel of John Jesus states, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
I think that is the key-people just look in the wrong places. Honestly, who wants to be miserable? Not many people. At least I don't think so. I think people want to be happy and healthy mentally as well as physically. Sometimes they just get stuck on the wrong road looking in the wrong place. It can even seem like true happiness has been found there for a while, but it's usually short lived.
What is so sad, and what the lady I met on vacation told me was that things had happened in her childhood/young adult life and she hadn't told anyone about them. She just became very bitter and started making choices looking for love in all the wrong places. This isn't true for everyone but I'm sure that well over half of suffering people out there are carrying around baggage from the past. It doesn't matter if it was self inflicted or not. Something terrible could have happened and you just put a big backpack of guilt on yourself for it. You keep walking through life and accepting more stones thrown your way until the backpack is too heavy to carry.
It is no wonder that some people can't function day to day in a healthy way. If you could look in their backpack of sorts-you would probably be knocked to your feet with sadness for them.
The good thing is that Jesus came to save, heal and deliver. I could list a verse here but honestly it's just all throughout the gospels and the entire new testament. If you're reading this and you feel like this speaks to you at all in some way-that would be my first recommendation. To just read the word and start there. Maybe not even necessarily church. I love church-but sometimes people can get "religion" and miss Jesus. It's healthy to have a relationship between you and HIM. HIM alone.
Jesus brings abundant life. I want everyone to live in that abundance. So rich and full that is just filling their cup up and splashing all over the people all around them. That's the joy I'm talking about. That's what Satan likes to steal. It is contagious. When you get it, it will start to affect the people around you. Then the Kingdom of Light starts a raging war against the powers of evil and darkness.
You know, it's kind of comical because I got to experience so many fun things with my children and husband this week. We spent a lot of time in the "Magic Kingdom" at Disney World. Times like that are precious and to be treasured but that's not where the true joy in life comes from.
It might work when you're 2 and 3 years old-but I hope to convey to my children that we are all children of God's Kingdom. It's bigger than 40 square miles of castles, magic and Mickey Mouse ears. And you don't have to wait until one special week of the year to enjoy it-as a child of the King, it's yours all of the time!!!
No amount of pain or baggage no matter how hurtful is worth carrying around in place of the joy that being free from all of that can bring.
Now here is the picture I promised.
Lately I have met so many desperate people that my heart just breaks for them.
Sometimes I think I must be drawn to these people because they just seem to find me. Even while I was on vacation my heart just felt like it would bleed right out of my chest for two complete strangers-one of whom sat down and shared her heart with me. I am so thankful she did so, I just hope I had the right words or pointed in the right direction. Honestly, I'm not capable of helping much. However, if I can point someone in the direction of the cross-that's EXACTLY what I'm going to do. Because that's where life begins and that's where and the ONLY place where you will find help. I know it. I know it beyond the shadow of a doubt.
Don't get me wrong-I know that this blog doesn't have a big audience and that is totally fine with me. But you just never know who might be feeling a little hopeless and need some encouragement.
The reason that my heart feels so heavy is just because I want everyone, and I mean that EVERYONE to experience the joy in their life that only Jesus can give. We all-myself included- have times in our life when we veer too far to the right or left and those paths just lead to heartache, hopelessness and despair.
That's exactly what the Devil intends for them to do.
Because if he can keep us there, traveling those same roads then we will be walking in circles away from the truth, the light and the only thing that can bring us true joy. In the gospel of John Jesus states, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
I think that is the key-people just look in the wrong places. Honestly, who wants to be miserable? Not many people. At least I don't think so. I think people want to be happy and healthy mentally as well as physically. Sometimes they just get stuck on the wrong road looking in the wrong place. It can even seem like true happiness has been found there for a while, but it's usually short lived.
What is so sad, and what the lady I met on vacation told me was that things had happened in her childhood/young adult life and she hadn't told anyone about them. She just became very bitter and started making choices looking for love in all the wrong places. This isn't true for everyone but I'm sure that well over half of suffering people out there are carrying around baggage from the past. It doesn't matter if it was self inflicted or not. Something terrible could have happened and you just put a big backpack of guilt on yourself for it. You keep walking through life and accepting more stones thrown your way until the backpack is too heavy to carry.
It is no wonder that some people can't function day to day in a healthy way. If you could look in their backpack of sorts-you would probably be knocked to your feet with sadness for them.
The good thing is that Jesus came to save, heal and deliver. I could list a verse here but honestly it's just all throughout the gospels and the entire new testament. If you're reading this and you feel like this speaks to you at all in some way-that would be my first recommendation. To just read the word and start there. Maybe not even necessarily church. I love church-but sometimes people can get "religion" and miss Jesus. It's healthy to have a relationship between you and HIM. HIM alone.
Jesus brings abundant life. I want everyone to live in that abundance. So rich and full that is just filling their cup up and splashing all over the people all around them. That's the joy I'm talking about. That's what Satan likes to steal. It is contagious. When you get it, it will start to affect the people around you. Then the Kingdom of Light starts a raging war against the powers of evil and darkness.
You know, it's kind of comical because I got to experience so many fun things with my children and husband this week. We spent a lot of time in the "Magic Kingdom" at Disney World. Times like that are precious and to be treasured but that's not where the true joy in life comes from.
It might work when you're 2 and 3 years old-but I hope to convey to my children that we are all children of God's Kingdom. It's bigger than 40 square miles of castles, magic and Mickey Mouse ears. And you don't have to wait until one special week of the year to enjoy it-as a child of the King, it's yours all of the time!!!
No amount of pain or baggage no matter how hurtful is worth carrying around in place of the joy that being free from all of that can bring.
Now here is the picture I promised.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Summer Random-ness
Just about the time I get something figured out they have to go and change it again already!
It's that way with facebook. About the time I'm getting the hang of it-the look changes again.
And now blogger.
Hopefully I will be able to scramble and get this post up without deleting everything ever written by me. Not that it's anything super significant, but I would like to keep my memories of the babies journaled if that's possible. I just have to share some cute/gross images from today. The temperature has been so nice this week but there has been a few thunderstorms. Therefore the mud puddle/river in my backyard. Who needs a pool, right?!
And to complete the look of a hillbilly….
We have had so much fun out of those crazy teeth. When I put them in Quinley beg's me to take them out. I think I freak her out a little!
Speaking of teeth, mama was humbled last week. Our little man had to be put to sleep to fix one (or more) cavities. It was just not a really pretty week. I told my mom that if someone had asked me before that experience how a three year old's teeth can be in that condition I would have hands down said, "lazy parenting." Shame. on. me.
God has a way of making us realize we aren't parent of the year-not that we really need to be-in fact we are nothing but scrambling if not for HIM. I will do better. Moving forward. We're still gonna enjoy the afternoon ice cream truck every once in a while though:)
It's that way with facebook. About the time I'm getting the hang of it-the look changes again.
And now blogger.
Hopefully I will be able to scramble and get this post up without deleting everything ever written by me. Not that it's anything super significant, but I would like to keep my memories of the babies journaled if that's possible. I just have to share some cute/gross images from today. The temperature has been so nice this week but there has been a few thunderstorms. Therefore the mud puddle/river in my backyard. Who needs a pool, right?!
Speaking of teeth, mama was humbled last week. Our little man had to be put to sleep to fix one (or more) cavities. It was just not a really pretty week. I told my mom that if someone had asked me before that experience how a three year old's teeth can be in that condition I would have hands down said, "lazy parenting." Shame. on. me.
God has a way of making us realize we aren't parent of the year-not that we really need to be-in fact we are nothing but scrambling if not for HIM. I will do better. Moving forward. We're still gonna enjoy the afternoon ice cream truck every once in a while though:)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Lately Around My House
Barefoot in the grass
Little tiny fingers, dirty from hours spent playing outside, handing me these "flowers." Never gets old.
Quinley doing her "bible study." Thank you Lord, may the passion grow as she does.
So silly and carefree. The way life should be when you are three.
Handsome
Beautiful
Chosen and Loved
Free
Little tiny fingers, dirty from hours spent playing outside, handing me these "flowers." Never gets old.
Quinley doing her "bible study." Thank you Lord, may the passion grow as she does.
So silly and carefree. The way life should be when you are three.
Handsome
Beautiful
Chosen and Loved
Free
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter 2012
Well I really hadn't planned to blog today even though it is a holiday and I want to capture memories.
However, both kids are quiet/almost asleep and I really need to clean up the kitchen. But that is loud and this is not. So I'm going with blogging:)
This is us at church today.
I love my silly kids!
I love Easter. We usually spend it in Virginia or Kentucky but this year we just wanted to stay home. We've had a good weekend but I did miss my peeps.
Yesterday we took the kids to an egg hunt. There were about 10, 547 people there. The eggs were GONE in less than a minute. It was so fun though:)
Our friends were there…here is little Alexis Grace.
She is so tiny! She is only four months younger than Quinley lol! Our little girl looks and acts more like she's 3 instead of 2! It was always the same way with TL. The problem with him however is that he looked older but true to most boys, it took his actions a while to catch up with his body. So people looked at his size and expected him to act one way and he just wasn't there yet. It makes where he is at today-where they're both at-so much more enjoyable and appreciated. They've come a long way, they're growing up too fast.
I hope you all had a great weekend and a very happy Easter!
However, both kids are quiet/almost asleep and I really need to clean up the kitchen. But that is loud and this is not. So I'm going with blogging:)
This is us at church today.
I love my silly kids!
I love Easter. We usually spend it in Virginia or Kentucky but this year we just wanted to stay home. We've had a good weekend but I did miss my peeps.
Yesterday we took the kids to an egg hunt. There were about 10, 547 people there. The eggs were GONE in less than a minute. It was so fun though:)
Our friends were there…here is little Alexis Grace.
She is so tiny! She is only four months younger than Quinley lol! Our little girl looks and acts more like she's 3 instead of 2! It was always the same way with TL. The problem with him however is that he looked older but true to most boys, it took his actions a while to catch up with his body. So people looked at his size and expected him to act one way and he just wasn't there yet. It makes where he is at today-where they're both at-so much more enjoyable and appreciated. They've come a long way, they're growing up too fast.
I hope you all had a great weekend and a very happy Easter!
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