Saturday Praises...

Long holiday weekends where Saturday gets to feel like Friday with everyone home!

Warm sun, blue skies.

Birthday parties with friends.

Farm parks with feed cones, beautiful black horses, and plenty of hungry ducks and goats to munch on your cones.

Spending the day together.

A certain little newly turned two year old who has developed a few fears, which he refers to as "scaredy".

A strong courageous big brother who although he has his own insecure moments is still Finn's brave big brother.

I love how Dax reached back and held Finn's fingers.


This has to be my favorite! I love those few moments each day when I see true sweetness shine through in my little people!

Having a brave strong Daddy to protect my guy from those ferocious miniature horses too!

Playing outside into the evening with dinner cooking on the grill.

A phone call from my brother in law telling us that my sister in law and little Isobel are home from the hospital. Pictures in the email box of Isobel and her big sisters! They are all beautiful!

More comments on this blog then ever all because of Seeds of God's word! If you haven't entered for the giveaway, go to this post and leave a comment.

I am enjoying jumping over to some of the blogs that you visitors to the blog are coming from! I'm hoping to at least take a peek at each of them! I really am excited you're here. Can you tell?

A quiet movie night complete with snuggles and giggles.

Everyone sleeping, at least for the moment in their own beds! =)

Ribbonless Praises...

Praises...

I learned so much from going to the photography critique. Just walking around as the judge talked about other's work, even before I asked her about my own was so rich. Once we got to mine I could have almost critiqued them myself! You may have noticed I've "fixed" the header picture. Critique was, great picture but it's flat, it needs to be bumped in contrast so that there are true blacks and almost whites, so that the eye is drawn to a focal point. Funny, one little tweak and it makes a huge difference. Her favorite of mine was the city street. She said there were two things separating it from being a great shot to an amazing shot. A little cropping to move the lamp post to a different place and if I had had just enough difference in angle (bent down more) to make the lamp post with the flag on it pop up above the building line. Now have you learned something? I also learned that maybe I should have entered more unique things. There were some incredibly gorgeous photographs, but the ones that one, would not have really been the ones I'd have picked, they were much more artsy. I think I would have had a better chance if I'd have entered this one I took of the Hobby Lobby Ceiling!

I didn't get one of the three ribbons, but that really wasn't my quest. Not to say that each time they pulled up a print my heart didn't beat so loudly I surely thought that the people around me must hear it! I'm not sure if this was excitement or fear of having to stand up and be recognized if I did get a ribbon! The judge turned out to be a woman I had just read a little about online the night before when looking for area classes. Hmmm...maybe that was a clue that I need lessons!

I spent sometime with my camera manual this afternoon and learned a few new tricks. It'll be a long time before I get all the way through that thing! I'm a visual learned. Manuals are almost torture for me!

My neighbors did not call DCFS when my boys shed all their clothes after getting them wet and instead of rushing them inside I just started taking pictures.

I have one baby who is continuing to listen to me. I asked Finn if he was ready to snuggle for nap, he shook his little head no while he played. I told him he had one more minute and then I walked out of the room. Sure enough that guy was climbing on my lap not two minutes later all ready for nap! I'm loving this...but I slightly afraid of how long it may or may not last!

My favorite moment of today... We slept in, all of us, so I guess my second favorite moment was waking up at 8 am and not hearing any noise. So, we didn't make it to church. I was slightly bummed about this, only because a friend was singing and I like hearing her. I figured if everyone was sleeping and it was one of the last Sundays before our Sunday morning commitments kick in for the year that we should take advantage of it. The kids finally got up and started rambling around, climbing in and out of our bed. Then the day really started when Lily and Dax started arguing. Dax went running to his room and laid on the floor under a blanket. Finn took off running out of our room. He rushed in beside Dax, laid down, and wrapped his arms around his neck. He laid there and hugged him until Dax stopped crying. He even put his two fingers together and put them in Dax's mouth, which is what he does when he's upset and can't find his binky. It was so sweet!

To keep me from getting a big head about the extreme listening and empathetic behavior of my youngest, he got really ticked off about something in his dinner and slapped the food bowl right out of my hand in a rage. Lets just say, this didn't make me a happy momma. It did make the Dog a happy dog, though.

Rocketships, Sunsets, and Praises...

It's amazing what little boys can do with a toy kitchen! Logically, you'd think, cook! Maybe even use it as a tool bench or something creative like that, right? Not my guys! I walked into the family room this morning to find Ole Chef Tony and his kitchen looking like this...

Dax looks at me and says "Our wheels are stuck on our rocket ship and they have holes in them" Hmmm...so the kitchen has now become a "rocket ship?" I asked for a demonstration, and this is what they showed me...

Ingenious I say! You notice Finn's extreme agitation? That is cause he wanted to be captain.

That lasted for about three minutes followed by some sort of unexplained tantrum. Who took my sweet baby and brought me this toddler??



Praises...

Dax went to school Thursday even though he told us he would not on Wednesday night. As we walked down the stairs to his classroom he looked at me a with a puzzled look and said, "I told you, I'm not going to play at school today." I left him with a smile, a kiss, and an I love you. He fell to the floor crying saying he was not going to stay. Sigh...I thought it was all going so well!
I returned to a happy guy who seemed to have a good day, and so far, he's going back Tuesday.

A husband who picked up pictures for me tonight on his way home and then willingly took us all to Hobby Lobby and dinner, even stopping the vehicle to allow me to take some pictures along the way!

The sunset tonight! It was incredible!

Simple Grace. This morning started out with me all frazzled, yelling at my peeps. About 9:30 I sat down with my Chai Tea, my Bible, and Him. His grace and peace alone let me get off that couch with a softer, kinder attitude and continue the day with patience and joy.

My little Finn who hears me even when the others don't or tune me out. I asked Dax three times to go grab the new bag of Diapers. Next thing I know here comes Finn with the diapers and a smile. I asked Dax to pick up his trash and toss it in the trash. I hear the lid banging around and see Finn trying to throw it away. H is always tuned in. Lily argues everything, Dax pretends he's completely deaf. Does this mean, maybe, just maybe I have one that can not only hear my voice but even comprehend the words I say?? If this continues it would only be a bit of a miracle! I know, it's probably just a stage, but I'm grateful for it while it lasts!

The adventures of Dax & Finn and Praises...

At about 10 till 8 this morning while I ran to the basement to get clean laundry I left these darlings playing happily together on the family room floor. When I came upstairs, I heard no noise. I came up and peeked in, they were gone. I ran through the house calling for them, thinking maybe they were playing a game.

No noise.

We've been trying to keep the doors locked so Dax can't open them. Usually though, if he opens the back door it gets left standing open and the dog is running around the neighborhood. Not today. I stuck my head out the back door and yelled.

No noise. I ran to the front, yelled, no noise.

I ran to my room, threw on a pair of pants and ran out the back door. There was Dax running around the side of the house with a big grin on his face. He said, "Hi mommy! It's really nice outside, we wanted to come out!"

All I could say was a very panicked, "where's Finn??" As I scanned the side and back yard.

"He's upfront, but I keep him from the street."

I take off running. The front? By the road? Dax is in the back...so Finn is alone!" As I made it to the front and at first glance didn't see him, but then caught him dancing around barefoot in his jammies, I'm not sure if I ever felt more panicked and then more relieved in my whole life.

I scooped him up under my arm and escorted the boys back into the house. I preceded to give Dax a huge lecture about all the horrible things that could happen to a baby outside without a grown up. In Dax's words "he could get smooshed?" I then started to cry while I spoke...not exactly my intent. Finn climbed up and rubbed my back and hugged me as I talked. If only they could understand even just tiny little bit of how much I love them and how much one moment could change everything.

Praises...

These two little boys in their matching "crabby" pajamas are safe & sound and continue to make my life a little more "edgy" after their disappearance this morning. I will continue to come up with new ways to harness Dax's stealthiness for good and not evil!

My tea and quiet God time this morning was somehow better than all other mornings.

Our extra daughter/babysitter, Hayley, has babysat for both tonight and last night's meet the teacher meetings. I've enjoyed our "drive home" conversations! You know, teenagers are really pretty cool (although I'm sure "cool" isn't really "cool" anymore).

Meeting the teachers. Both kids seem happy. I always love the chance to meet and spend some time with the important people in my kids world. With Lily when she was little I always worked in her classroom. I'm hoping this year I can find a way to spend some better time in her class than last year, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to spend sometime in Dax's room too. Lily's preschool was a co-op so even before I went back to teaching I got to spend good classroom time in there. I loved getting to know the kids and the flow of how things worked. Seems around these parts I couldn't find a co-op type program. I really like the place he's going, I just hope I get a chance to spend a little time! Ok, now I think I'm rambling...

And on a preschool note, Dax was super excited after going to his open house! He was even ok that he and his best buddy, Max are in different classes. He really likes the idea of going to school. On the way home he asked, "mom, am I a preschooler now?" Yes. baby, you are a preschooler now! Weren't you just a baby not so long ago? I wonder how his teachers feel about ketchup, yogurt, and whipped cream painting?

Friends who will keep your mini man so you can take the big one to school on his own!

Little brothers and their friends who request to be the friend of somone who feels too old to be joining facebook! Honestly I just wanted to see what the inside looked like! So far the only people who have requested to add me as their friend are all guys in their early 20's. They've made me smile!

The Baby signing time DVD which my boys think is the coolest thing ever and are actually starting to use!

Blogland. A place that lets you peek through the windows into other's worlds, sharing their joys and praying for their sorrows. watching miracles happen. There is a lot of bad stuff out there but there are some amazing stories that are much more fulfilling to read than my dishes are to do!

Have I mentioned lately how blessed I am to have the mom I do...that women, she sometimes amazes me. In the midst of her own "stuff" she always thinks of everyone else.

Beautiful end of summer days!

We have Sand!

Finally! you wouldn't think sand would be so hard to find in August! After 5 stores, two weeks, and one really agitated 3 year old, Toys R Us came through for us and we are happy campers!

Everyone took their time in the sandbox, but Daddy and Dax, they really enjoyed themselves!

Finn got a little bored so he decided he'd try some other things...

Like sticking his head out the high hole on the climber over the blacktop to scare mom. He did look cute doing it...

Sunbathing in an empty pool...

Picking Mommy's flowers. Here is a sample of his collection of petals...

The best alternative activity, giving picked flowers to his mommy with a big, sweet, smile!

Praises...

Talking to lots of faraway people this week. It seems like since the big kiddo went back to school the phone has been a permanent fixture on my ear. This can have it's down falls like extra "Hi-5"'s on the On Demand, half the 14 framed photos I have being dropped behind the million pound piano, a certain 16 month old learning he can climb into the computer cabinet and toss out the monitor, not to mention pull all the thumb tacks out of the tack board in the back of the cabinet. Which leads to it's own special list of praises...

Having cable TV with a DVR for rerunning the same show as needed as well as noggin, discovery kids, and pbs sprout on Demand.

My piano weighing so much that there is no chance of it tipping over with a 3 year old and 16 month old sitting on top.

I did not hear any breaking glass, so I think all pictures behind piano are intact.

The fact that I mostly cleaned out the computer cabinet not so long ago so there wasn't as much to pick up off the floor as their once might have been. (although it's probably due to it's clean state that he thought he could climb in!)

The thumbtacks did not poke him before I was able to pry each one out of his tight little grip.

The computer monitor still works and is in one piece.

The boys have gotten along very well and have been so much quieter since school started, could be they are simply in stealth mode without the extra set of eyes present!

Finn took off his diaper before climbing into the damp sink to brush his teeth.

My boys have the cleanest teeth in town. They are averaging 3 to 8 brushings a day...is this a good obsession?

Lily has successfully ridden her bike back and forth to school this week. This is the first year we're letting her do this and I'm just a little nervous, but she seems to be doing well.

She is also enjoying fifth grade so far! Prayers that that is a year long thing!

Finn's amazing hugs..they make up for a multitudes of climbing adventures.

Dax explaining to me why every night he must climb on me and wiggle his way into the middle of mommy and daddy in bed. "it's warm and it's safe and I like to be in the middle of you twos."

An evening out with friends, both business and pleasure! I greatly enjoyed my evening out with grown up chatter!

Feeling a little freer after handing over some church duties that I have greatly enjoyed for the last two years to a good friend who so kindly stepped up to take a turn at the reigns. Thank you Nicole, Traci and I are loving you right now!

My kids friends. Lily got to go spend some time watching the big premier of Cheetah Girl's One World with her friend, Bayley. Dax got a sweet phone call from his buddy Max. I love that these friends are good kids with parents I like!

A 3 year old that loves his sister so much(at least tonight) that he tried to convince us not to "make her go to Bayley's" because "Lily doesn't want to go to Bayley's, she is scared of Bayley". Truth be told the kid wanted to watch the Cheetah girls with his sis. At least he didn't think it was as cool to watch it alone... good cover little guy! Is it sad to admit we watched it even though she wasn't here?

God is answering prayers through people who don't even know it. Now if I will only open myself up.

A husband I enjoy talking with anytime we have quiet moments where we can actually hear each other!

Another first week of school that has gone well. It's the beginning of fall, probably my favorite time of the year...the smells, the leaves crunching, the football games echoing from the High School, new shows coming back on, being able to where long sleeves, shorts sleeves or anything you want! I know this year fall is a little harder without my Dad, especially for my mom. I pray that the memories that circle around us will be good ones that make us laugh. I pray that my mom know just how grateful we are to have her in our lives and how much we miss being close enough to hug her.

I am so grateful for unlimited long distance and bloggy connections!

Olympics, Praises, and Stinkin' Marshmallows...

So, tonight, once again I find myself watching the Olympics on the edge of my chair. Michael Phelps. His name is sort of a sentence all on it's own. It says strength, determination, faith. What struck me though, and I'm not sure if I'm totally alone in this thought, was what about his mom? There she was in the stands, you could see her beaming, her pride in her son just brimming over. I guess maybe because I'm a little too old and well, just not exactly constructed for Olympic competition that I wouldn't necessarily put myself in Michael's shoes. Maybe it's because I am the mother of three amazing kids who I think could do anything. That I could jump into hers.

Maybe I have an Emmy award winning actress, or, well, do they have Olympic medals for climbing? Maybe I have a Nobel peace prize winner or the inventor of something incredible. Maybe this is why I immediately identified with Michael's mother. Without her, would he be where he is? Without God would she be where she is? It is not just a work of coincidence or of nature. I can't for a minute believe it's a simple fluke. God sent this child to this mother and this mother saw his gift and gave him the tools and the love he needed to fulfill his gift. She had to have allowed God to work through him. She had to have faith to hand him over to the pool. I did a little Googling on Deborah Phelps and found this interesting article on what kind of kid Michael was. It wasn't what I expected. He was not a scholar, or a well behaved little child. He suffered from A.D.H.D. and he was not a favorite of his teachers. It wasn't till he was almost a tween till they discovered his gift. I guess what I'm slightly bummed about is that in my googling I could not find some wonderful interview in which Michael and/or Deborah Phelps give all the glory of Michel's amazing gifts to God, because in my mind, that is where they belong. I had to remind myself that he seems to be a pretty humble guy and it's really not my business to judge his faith based on results of Googling "Michael Phelps faith in God". That is between he and the big guy. Back to the mom thing..so here is my question, and maybe a bit my paranoia. What if each and everyone of our children has a gift like Phelps? What if each of our beautiful babies has the God given gift to do something of greatness? What if Deborah Phelps had listened to his teachers and just chalked him up to a kid with issues that would never be able to focus on anything? What if she'd never taken him to the pool?

What about my kids? How do I know what their gifts truly are? I know Dax and Lily have gifts with body art and sharpies. I know that Lily used to hoard all sorts of things I deemed garbage in order to create art with...what if deterring this hobby because it drove me nuts was derailing her gift? What if Dax's monkey like climbing and insane upper body strength are leading him to greatness? What if Finn's champion fine motor skills will create a fine surgeon. What if somewhere in Lily's incessant talking there is hidden the cure for cancer? Or if Dax's "secret" Bean Car is the answer to the alternative fuel quest? What if I'm squelching them? What if I'm annoyed by the very skills that could facilitate my kids 8 gold medals? Help!

I then found this quote from Debbie Phelps. "As I look back, one of the hardest things I had to do with raising my son and both my two daughters was to trust they would be okay without me always by their side as they grew older. Like all mothers, we just want our children to be happy, safe and to excel in what they enjoy most. And as a mom, we do everything we can to make that possible."

And I thought...ok, I'm right there with her. And, I'm open. I'm struggling hard to listen to God's voice, to open my eyes to his plan for not just me, but for them as well. I'm praying fervently and now I will add to that prayer not just for him to use them for his perfect works but to open my eyes to the great gifts he has instilled in them. I will continue to pray for the resources to help them to grow those gifts and his grace in not allowing my mistakes to derail his plans for them. I will mostly remind myself daily that his love for them is bigger than mine could ever be, than I could ever even fathom. They are not mine, they are his. He put them in my care because that was part of the master plan. these children are perfect for me. Michael was perfect for her. Even our failures will teach them, will be part of His great plan.

I would be so incredibly proud to be Michael's mother. Honestly though, I am more proud to be Lily, Dax, and Finn's mother, because they were formed by His hands to be pieces of my heart, and for that I give God all the glory!


Praises...

Another beautiful summer day.

A very handsome, healthy new life!

A baby with the best hugs ever and one new tooth!

A husband who will take two kids to the store and make dinner

God's way of keeping me here instead of driving all the way to Indiana just to get a horrible cold and not be able to hold that beautiful little boy!

Everyone in my house having pretty good attitudes even with all the sneezing a nose blowing going on here (sorry if that was too much info)

The delight kids get out of $10 inflatable swimming pools

Chatting with mom and her having such a pleasant night last night with my brother and sister in law

Getting my hands on the DVDs for our new Bible Study. I'm only partway into the first one, but I'm already amazed by how in depth it is! I've not done Beth Moore before...this ought to be a new world for me!

Making the time this summer to dive into His word and listen better. I pray i can keep going as school starts

Lily's incredible excitement about going back to school (even thought the discussion of it is endless!)

Being able to sit and watch the Olympics and enjoy the time with my husband (at least between interruptions from half sleeping children!)

Life. How it just keeps going and how it's filled with such beauty if you choose to open your eyes to it!

Dax quote of the day....

"I NEED ONE MORE STINKIN' MAR SH MEL LOW!!!

Please! Please! justonemorestinkingmarshmallow!

I just need another marshmallow, just one, please

snif snif, mumble in a whiny meek voice... "I just wanted one more marshmallow, just one stinking marshmallow"

Good Intentions

Today during the morning "quiet" time I decided today would be a day about intentions. At the end of this day, I'm tired! We spent close to two hours throughout the day in Dax's room for time out. Lily had about 3 grade A meltdowns and we never once set foot out of the house even though leaving home was part of plan A, B, and C. I didn't raise my voice once and everything I asked my kids to do today is done. I wanna leave the house tomorrow! Can I do this and go out?

Plan D, although crazy, involved some sweet moments. Dax, while picking up his bedroom floor which must have taken 3 hours by the time it was all said and done (should have taken about 3 minutes) pulled his Bible out from under the crib and shrieked with joy "My Bible!!". He then felt he needed quiet Bible time...
Finn decided this was something he'd enjoy too, so he put down his gobble gobble turkey book he also pulled from under the bed and joined Dax... Dax let him! And talked to him about the stories!
He pointed out Noah's Ark and David and Goliath.
Then Daddy came home and found us in the boys room. Lily joined with her mp3 player and they all shared the headphones and danced a bit. So, it wasn't my plan A, but somehow I think it was God's.
I am grateful for His words, and the flexibility to listen today.

I am grateful for kids that bring me joy and a husband who supports all of us in that everyday.

I am grateful for the moments I found today to intentionally begin to post photos taken in my home town...

Once upon a time I started this blog for me, for my family to share in our days and our praises. I opened it to the world because I felt like I was supposed to and there would be no way I could keep up two blogs. A few weeks ago I started another blog because I felt like I was supposed to. I left it there, suspended in the cyber world with nothing in it because I didn't really know what it was for. Today I began to post. Why today? Because it felt like the right day. For those of you who need a more logical answer, I don't know! =) There you will find pictures that will tell a story when the time is right. It may just be a place I put some of my pictures not related to my babies! Whatever it is, whatever it becomes or doesn't become you are welcome to stop in for a visit at Echoes of Grace.

Why too much to blog is a bad thing...

So, I have an overwhelming amount of pictures and memories to blog from the past weeks of travel and visiting. You would think this would be a wonderful thing, it is! But...it has caused me to have major blogging issues. The organized part of my brain says I should blog behind before blogging ahead. The problem is I'm skipping out on daily blogs cause I'm the queen of procrastination. So I'm going to maybe post one back blog tonight...maybe, if I get that far, no pressure!

I just feel that I've skipped too many praise days and I need to get back on the horse!

Praises...

Safe journeys

time with people I love

coming home and letting my kids run free!

being able to walk around in pajamas all day is we wanna!

catching up on summer show recordings (before husband's threats to delete all dvr recordings comes to pass)

Funny little boys

baby hugs and a 15 month old who hugs with all his might and pats your back, gets me every time!

Great friends

limited Thursday night revival

daughters who try so hard to help (at least sometimes!)

days without high humidity

phone calls from California

a husband who will take two kids to two stores for two hours without nary a complaint

God's grace and ignition of passions
Hearing His voice

God's patience when we drag our feet and his forgiveness when get it wrong

Quiet time to read, write and pray (even if it involves a quiet 3 year old sitting over your shoulder and a quiet 15 month old climbing on your lap.)

Summer days which are all of the sudden flying by too soon!

Praises and Prayers with flair

Having a good, busy time in Ohio!

Listening to His voice.

Taking lots of pictures. (I'll post one day)

Walking through the past.

VBS #2 down, half successful.

Zoo trips. To a real zoo!

Pedicures, Movies, lunch, and shopping with Mom alone! Yay!

Going out for an evening with Mike alone!!

Mom and Mike for taking turns babysitting! I'm one lucky girl!

Amazing bargain finds this week...loving that!

At home movie nights with mom, Mike and my little brother, Ryan.

Comedy Central after hours and laughing till I cry.

Amazing sister in laws.

Mike & the kids getting to spend time with his brother and the cousins.

Outlet malls.

Seeing old friends that make you a little like a giddy school girl.

Sitting and talking for hours tonight with Mike's brother and sister in law with no kids! Lets just say this is some sort of minor miracle, cause I'm not sure I remember the last time ti happened!

My husband taking the time to walk all over town to take pictures with me on my whims..

My mom, who every day both blesses and amazes me!

Prayers going out...

To my family a state away...

Those insane American Girl shoppers in Wisconsin.

My poor sister in law who I haven't seen enough of because she'd been working so hard.

My good friend at home who is keeping our Sophie dog, at her house while we're away.

Those teenage girls who we miss!

This town, with the dark cloud. (I'll post more later...)

My little three year old guy with the best blue eyes, whom I love very much but has turned into a defiant little man lately! And for his family who love him!

Recommendation...

If you don't mind cheesy musical movies my mom and I saw Mamma Mia today and it was a fun, feel good, giggle, and sing movie! We loved it! If you're not into chick flicks, Abba, or musical movies, skip it!

Praises...

People with enough moxy to stop by your house and find the yard sale, even when it's been canceled due to weather. Usually I would not praise random strangers knocking on my door wanting to come into my unclean house, however when my house is fairly clean and they are carrying wads of cash, I'm game.

Mom is here and she isn't phased by the chaos, the naked boys, the preteen drama, or me taking her along for the ride. (well, at least she's not showing it if she is!)

Yard sale over.

Good evening out with a great group of friends, Even if the service was bad, the food was good and the conversation better.

Friends pushing me out of my comfort zone into things I'm not sure I'm ready for. I'm honored they have more faith in me than I have in myself.

Great husbands who not only take my kids so i can go out with friends, but willingly volunteers to take a friends three little ones too. So this man is alone with 6 kids, ages 10, 7,4,3,2, and 1 for 3.5 hours. He managed to sell a bike, clean up the tables and other yard sale mess left in the driveway, feed them all snacks that involved fruit, and have 2 out of the 6 asleep without killing anyone or the use of duct tape. (even when I left it sitting in the middle of the table, just in case...)