Answering the Invitation

In 2011 I was reading...

2012-01-02T11:37:00.008-06:00

These are the books that I read in 2011. 1. The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. This is a must read book on tithing, money, poverty mentality, the Gospel & finances. I loved it!!!2. Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler. This book was a true story and documented the life of a boy who grew up in the Amish community. It was eye opening to the very bondage of legalism that the Amish walk out on a daily

Happy New Year,

2012-01-02T10:07:00.005-06:00

Wow! I just realized that I can scroll down three post and see Dec, Nov, Oct. How very concise of me. Or how very boring? I'm gonna say busy and call it a day. I read a blog yesterday here that really had me thinking about blogging. She had a post on why people blog. She was encouraging in her commitment to blog because she was the memory keeper of her family. She writes of the possibilities of

sentimental

2011-12-03T10:10:00.003-06:00

Good things have been going on around here. I made Grandma Dee's English Toffee last night to give to the neighbors. At least most of it made it to the neighbors. It is simple ingredients. Butter, sugar, salt, water, chocolate chips. The only thing you really need is a candy thermometer.On top of the fridge: a globe I found at a thrift store, my great grandmother's aqua bowl, cinnamon sticks

Thanksgiving

2011-12-02T10:15:00.002-06:00

With Thanksgiving landing early this year I feel like I am so behind for Christmas. I realized that when I was buying my tree on the 30th of November I felt like I lagged. Stop it already though! Its December 2nd. My birthday is next week. I'm going to get a pedicure with my sis. I have driven around looking at lights with a starbucks so all is well with the world.

Black Friday Awesomeness

2011-11-26T09:33:00.003-06:00

Kurto & I are complete opposites. He is Mr. night owl. I am practically doing snow angels in my bed at 8pm. I jump in bed each night grab my three pillows, my down comforter & cowboy my fat cat comes and sits on my lap. It is pathetic. Israel is now actually going to bed after me on a lot of nights. I attribute it to too many years working at starbucks at 4am. So it is no surprise that after

we all knew this before

2011-11-21T10:52:00.003-06:00

but just in case you didn't know... I have lost my mind. I moved my dining room table upstairs. Upstairs as in the kids room. It has legos and hello kitty coloring pages all over it and it is AWESOME! What is not awesome? My neck is out, because my back is spaz, because I sat in my "new" dad's old over sized leather chair. It looked harmless. It was going to salvation army. I rescued it & loved

new life

2011-11-07T08:01:00.002-06:00

Kurt's brother and his wife added twins to their family last week. The babies have been in the hospital for one week and now that they are home to celebrate being 9 days old I got to go squish them for their photo shoot. They are incredible, look so different, each are delicious & smell exactly as babies should. They are perfect and I love them. Ireland & Anthony. Anthony is the baby and he has

a bit out of order

2011-11-06T12:27:00.003-06:00

We have been busy here. Last weekend we went camping & I am just today getting all the pics in order. In my mind where I have coupons clipped and dinner scheduled out for the next week I have about 20 blog post from October. Being that in reality I made my kids carrots and dip & peanut butter and apples for dinner this week though I am starting November with camping from October and that is how

Refreshing

2011-10-22T10:26:00.004-05:00

This picture represents so much to me. As I type this my couch cushions are all over the floor. Something about a jumping game. There is syrup on the bar stools leftover from breakfast. Israel isn't dressed yet because he has no more clean shorts. Aubrey just got out turkey from the fridge and I can hear "not for kitty. not for you cowboy". Life has been busy this month. Often times I think we

my website

2011-09-27T13:49:00.002-05:00

I have been working on this for a while now & am so thankful to be able to pursue this with my whole heart. If you have any floral needs please go check out liliesinthefield.net

the widow's mite

2011-09-19T20:08:00.002-05:00

Luke 21:2-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, Luk 21:2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. Luk 21:3 So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;Luk 21:4 "for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

Back to School

2011-09-12T16:48:00.003-05:00

I feel as though I could write pages of pages about home school. The good, the bad, and the depressingly ugly. Let me start by noting a few questions or comments I have encountered in the past three years...- Do you think you can create the classroom experience and educational tools that Israel would need in your home? (and mostly added on - WITH a two year old around?)- Don't you love your child

Compassion for the multitudes

2011-09-05T01:56:00.006-05:00

There are some roads in life that we don't want to go down. Pain that seems to much to handle, yet when we walk that line between sorrow and suffering there is also the chance that we can enter into a new realm of beauty. It is on this road that we encounter as we never have before and find ourselves in communion with God. As I prayed for a friend today who is walking this road, I immediately was

Please send reinforcements

2011-09-04T19:12:00.001-05:00

Baby Shower for Twins

2011-09-03T17:47:00.007-05:00

I am proud auntie to twins coming this fall. Anthony & Ireland, affectionately known as baby A and baby B. As far as baby showers go I knew I wanted to do something different than blue & pink. I loved the thought of aqua, orange, melon & lime green colors. The invitations I saw first on Anna Maria Horner's sight. They were a labor of love to say the least. They wouldn't have been that difficult

Sweet Dreams Little One

2011-09-02T10:16:00.003-05:00

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow For babies grow up we learn to our sorrow So quiet down cobwebs Dust go to sleep I'm rocking my baby And babies don't keep. There is nothing sweeter. Sometimes naptime is such a battle that I forget to soak it all in. Her little body curled up on my big bed. Her little hand holding her baby. The way she wakes up with curly hair from bed head. She is

trying to be awesome

2011-08-23T12:56:00.008-05:00

(this picture does not include the gallon that got on my clothes from my shoulders down)

Miss Aubrey Lynn Baby

2011-07-31T09:37:00.004-05:00

I call her this all the time. Sometimes I don't know what to do with her. Laugh mostly. She is funny! She waves hello to everybody we pass and when we finally walk past them says "see ya". She has temper fits and tells me as she is stomping her feet "I am having a FIT". She love her brother more each day. She goes up the stairs and calls for him "Izzybuns wait for me". She can't say her "c"

baby blessing

2011-07-29T08:59:00.004-05:00

This was more like a prayer shower so to speak. Gifts were optional. Simple. Prayer was encouraging edifying and a wonderful way to encourage a mammas heart. I think that often times after a mom has had her first baby or even first of each gender we don't recognize her or the baby with a shower. That is because our culture says that a baby shower is about gifts, party games & food. After the mom

catch up late night edition

2011-07-22T21:39:00.002-05:00

It is 7:40pm. That constitutes "late night" for me. I am almost ready for my bedtime. Except Aubrey Lynn is currently singing "old McDonald" over and over and over. She would be jumping except she got in trouble for that ten times already. She is in a hard phase that any nap will send her over the edge to the night time crazies where she cannot go to sleep. Kurto is at a house of prayer mtg so I

The flowers

2011-07-12T22:44:00.005-05:00

It seems I love flowers real and fabric. I started making these this week and can't stop. I also met with some brides this week and always get so excited to create and brainstorm colors, textures, and flower choices. Praise the Lord for flowers. He knows they make me happy.

Hide your toothbrushes please.

2011-06-30T20:21:00.002-05:00

The first thing I heard when I entered my sister-in-laws house today was her girls running up the stairs. Then I preceded to hear "mom we hid the toothbrushes!". No joke. They know far too well. Had I known Aubrey's fascination with toothbrushes I would have invested in Colgate Stock. This week was topped off with the worst yet as far as toothbrushes go. You see as much as Aubrey loves

Raising up thankful littles

2011-06-22T09:19:00.003-05:00

It has been such a busy week here. It seems like June is the month for cousins and birthday parties. It has me reflecting here about kids and expectations, gifts & thankfulness. I love celebrating and even though my last post is about hating birthday parties I actually love a good party that celebrates the individual. It seems to me however in this culture that I am surrounded by that the

Why I hate a good birthday party

2011-06-20T21:55:00.005-05:00

So there is this place. I hate this place. It is my worst nightmare. My children love this place. It has lots of noise, wierd carpet that looks like it was on saved by the bell, dirty arcades, a playground that is begging for you to loose sight of your children for minutes at a time, and miniature golf. After an hour driving down the fwy in traffic we arrived and I could just tell it was going to

I love him

2011-06-18T11:54:00.003-05:00

I am adding because it has been asked... Kurto is holding a bright orange nerf suction dart gun. I guess the edited photo doesn't get the funny across. =-)I love Kurto so much. He is part sensitive, part deep thinker, part hilarious & part awesome. He has been my best friend since high school & he makes me laugh every day. He is the best daddy ever & I am so so thankful for how he loves me and

purposefully thankful

2011-06-16T18:41:00.007-05:00

thankful today for cousins that are a month apart, rainbow pass-me-down leggings, dinner on the stove, flowers from my mom's garden, candlesticks from a garage sale ($1), my grandma's sewing machine that I got to put to use this week, sweet apricots from my friend's backyard, toys that used to be Kurto's but now reside in a hellokitty lunchbox, and so much more...

When it rains it snows

2011-06-15T09:33:00.003-05:00

or something like that. Tis the season for being s.t.r.e.t.c.h.e.d. and I don't like it. Or I do. Or my spirit says "Yes" in a way that it seems to have been groaning for something to do to really work and grow as it knows it should, but my flesh screams "nooooo" not again. I just got comfortable in my routine. I just got my coffee and settled into the comfy chair. And so here we are and here we

Flower season

2011-05-14T18:05:00.003-05:00

Here are some beautiful pictures a bride just sent me. Anyone getting married this summer? Let me know. Lilies in the Field is ready for summer...

Its me that is the problem

2011-05-10T20:41:00.004-05:00

So I don't really have anything to blog lately. I am pushing to finish school with a heart that is unto the Lord because Israel is reading and I could really care less to do one more spelling test or measure my kitchen chair using paper clips, cubes and centimeters. But I am asking the Lord to count in unto righteousness and so I press forward asking things that sound so lame out loud. "Israel is

Finishing the race

2011-05-01T15:13:00.004-05:00

We are four weeks counting down to the last of school here. We started in August and are geared up for finishing in May. I say we because apparently I am so proud that I finished the first grade. I think I am possibly prouder of finishing this school year than finishing my bachelors. I did it. I passed. Almost. One more month to turn in. But at last for some pictures. April you were fun. See ya

Hope

2011-04-13T16:57:00.007-05:00

The sweet peas on the hill have been growing so wild lately. I marvel at this land we live in here in California. It just seems so glorious in the spring. There are hills everywhere bright yellow and green and when you turn one corner of the 5south just before I reach my exit I see ocean, hills, sky, and this year especially sweet peas. They are deep purple. For all the beauty of the little wild

hope in the midst

2011-04-11T20:58:00.004-05:00

What is a mama to do when their child is not so shall we say "lovable"? Sound crazy? Sound mean? Sound all to familiar? I have entered into this hot/cold zone where some days I am all gushy for a certain six year old whose blue eyes speak to my soul in ways that no body else can communicate. He is my first born. Having children farther apart in years was not always my dream. It just was my

finishing the table

2011-04-08T09:45:00.005-05:00

I recently decided to sand my old set of coffee table/ end table that Kurto and I first got when we were married. Ten years ago! They are pottery barn tables and while they have served us well they have definitely seen better days. I love their shape and how they are sturdy and solid but their color has always been a bit orange to my liking. We got them on clearance, floor models and cheap and

Have a great Sunday

2011-04-03T09:27:00.003-05:00

Kurto is doing worship tonight for the monthly prayer meeting at our church so we are having a relaxing morning here at home. Israel is on a coloring kick. Today it is iron man. I am coffee in hand paintbrush in another. It's gonna be a great day. I made a little banner for Easter. Rather than decorate with traditional things I really love bringing out things that will turn my heart towards the

decorating with branches

2011-04-01T22:28:00.003-05:00

This week I wanted to make an Easter decoration that wasn't outright bunnies and eggs. I love using branches and thought I'd share an easy way to make a beautiful centerpiece that will stay fresh and keep blooming for up to one month! I used cherry blossom branches that have just started to bud. Hopefully when we celebrate Easter the sweet pink little blossoms will be popping up. Other

sometimes

2011-03-26T17:04:00.005-05:00

sometimes being a mommy is wonderfulsometimes being a mommy is hardsometimes your children will be hurting and need only yousometimes being a mommy can be confusingsometimes being a mommy is the most exhausting thingsometimes we need supernatural strength just to make it til bedtimesometimes a bedtime book is the best solution sometimes if we are lucky, our children become our best

My hair

2011-03-25T20:28:00.004-05:00

This morning I read a great article put out by voice of the martyrs about Western "problems". It was really a great article about how in the west in general we worry about things that aren't really problems yet we constantly create problems or think that they are genuine problems and then spend our time and resources solving these "problems". The article hit my heart in a very real way. We might

Aubrey and her kitty

2011-03-23T21:52:00.006-05:00

Aubrey loves Capo. Capo loves Aubrey. Sometimes animals pick a certain person in the house. Capo definately loves Cowboy but when Aubrey is around she is the favorite. They do everything together & I think it is so sweet.

expectations and homeschool

2011-03-22T09:41:00.011-05:00

The school year is almost over. (the hallelujah chorus triumphantly singing in my mind)I am on countdown. I have not really posted much about our home school year. I think it is because I am trying to understand it myself. There are a few things I have learned this year...It is a very accomplished feeling to teach your child to read. I feel as though I have ran a marathon of some sort. It has

cluttered

2011-03-19T17:54:00.003-05:00

My mind has been cluttered. This last week was busy. Another week filled with the dental chair, home school gone wrong, cat litter episodes (and yes it involved Aubrey), and the business of working at night trying to fold enough tissue paper to pay for said root canal/crown/cavity/rotting 80yr old mouth. That is not however why my mind was cluttered. My mind was at war with itself. Flesh against

The Price is Right

2011-03-08T09:31:00.004-06:00

Israel is loving his daddy these days...Kurto and I are pretty careful about media in our home. We have had tv, not had tv, had tv again for football season, movies only, the list goes on. Israel is allowed certain shows that he can watch at certain times and we try to make no big deal about it. Which is why this comment is so funny. What comes out of our children's mouths is directly linked to

because we can we should.

2011-03-07T07:48:00.006-06:00

The saying "just because you can doesn't mean you should" defiantly does ring true on most occasions. I've just found the exception. When you live five minutes from the ocean & you can go down to the shore while most are begging for springtime to find its way, you should. And so we did. And it was lovely.(also I have linked up with http://www.abeachcottage.com/ this week. I am so inspired by all

confession time

2011-03-06T09:08:00.003-06:00

- Yesterday while I was downstairs making dinner I heard Aubrey go upstairs. Israel was taking a bath and I could here him saying "mom..." over and over. I kept asking him what was wrong but I didn't go up for a few minutes. When I got up there Aubrey was in the bath with him fully dressed in her jammies (she had just gotten her bath a few minutes prior). I was so mad because Israel had opened

Friday

2011-03-04T09:30:00.007-06:00

Today marks the end of a long week. Kurt's mom left last Saturday and I knew that life would be different this week. Having grammy here means a few things:- Israel loves school because Grammy uses pirate treasure, timers, flashcard bingo & all other things that I have never used to create a wonderful education for my child.- I love home school because it means drinking coffee, reading to Aubrey,

Aubrey's shoes

2011-03-02T08:36:00.004-06:00

Is it just me or does anyone else buy their children presents that are practical for their birthday until they are of the age where they catch on to such things? I bought Aubrey new shoes this year. New crayons. Big girl undies. The only one disturbed was Israel. He keeps telling people "Aubrey got shoes for her birthday." He is stuck on the issue. Anyhow I am happy to buy her something practical

His/Hers

2011-02-28T14:09:00.003-06:00

going green

2011-02-25T22:34:00.002-06:00

My mom offered me this desk that had been in the closet for a while. It used to be my great grandmothers. Being that I have a problem with furniture as most women have a problem with shoes I took it home without a second thought. It started out as a dark maple. It had tons of scratches & a bunch of water stains. I decided that it would make for a great desk for Israel. I wanted to use up paints

ministry of children

2011-02-23T21:18:00.002-06:00

Every day I find myself opening up the garage door and letting the kids run free. We don't have a backyard and so it is so nice that we live on a culdesac. So there is this one house. This house has a fountain outside and Aubrey loves to go towards there always. I began to go after her and Israel stopped me in my tracks. He was dead serious. "Mom don't stop her!" I was a bit confused. "Mom don't.

The dark side

2011-02-23T21:13:00.002-06:00

Come on over for breakfast & I will make you starwars pancakes flipped by my awesome Darth Vader spatula. This makes Israel so happy. I love how he is in that stage where he has humor & really is fun to be around but in the same ten minutes runs down the stairs wearing his Darth Vader costume & is still wearing it four hours later when we are at the airport picking up Grammy.

Oh yes she did.

2011-01-18T21:58:00.004-06:00

I should have known.Aubrey has never been like her brother. But that is the way God made her. Special. Crazy. Fun. Jumps off the top stairs and doesn't look back fun. Breaks her crib and climbs out kinda girl. She is cute as ever & loves to laugh at life. I should have known potty training would be training for me. Potty training at my house has gone like this...Aubrey pees on the floor. Aubrey

Breakfast Time

2011-01-10T09:57:00.002-06:00

Sometimes children are so wonderful.

time to save money and make soup!

2011-01-09T19:53:00.002-06:00

In large pot saute onions, carrots & celery in two tablespoons olive oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Stir in broth, beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, spices & cabbage. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat & simmer for at least 20 minutes. Ten minutes before serving pour in pasta to cook. ( Instead of whole wheat pasta this time I used tiny pearl pasta & a handful of pasta shells & it

Christmas Clean Up

2011-01-08T22:07:00.005-06:00

Every year I really enjoy Christmas so much. This year we were so rushed putting out our decorations while moving that I swore that I would wait til new years to take them down. But then this weird thing happens. I start to get claustrophobic the day after Christmas. I organize toys. I take trash to Ralph's at midnight and pray I don't get caught dumping boxes that wouldn't fit into recycle. I

Miss Aubrey Lynn

2011-01-06T21:06:00.007-06:00

(a look back from Dec to Jan of 2010)When praying over Aubrey Lynn this last week I was asking the Lord for something that would jump out at my heart. Something that would serve as a reminder to me each day to train her in wisdom and understanding. The Lord spoke something so simple I almost dismissed it. The word he gave for Aubrey Lynn this year to work on was "affection". Sometimes we look for

Israel Michael

2011-01-04T21:39:00.010-06:00

(Here is a little glimpse at a wonderful year with Israel in 2010)Last week I spent some time preparing my heart for the new year. I find that new years resolutions really are wonderful in terms of my heart gaining strength to go forward with my children in ways that are purposeful, practical and meaningful for the new year. If I don't set a goal or vision I'm often not able to track progress in

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T08:47:00.002-06:00

It has been such a busy, delightful, and crazy month. With so many events it feels like I could have had a post every single day. We moved right before the first. Packed on a Friday moved on a Saturday kind of move. We also had the loss of Kurt's grandfather. Losing a grandparent I have decided is especially hard because it not only is a loss of a dear loved one it almost seems to be a loss of

the flesh and the fire

2010-11-19T08:36:00.004-06:00

It is 6:30am. This morning has already brought pee accidents, timeouts, and stomping of feet (I'll let you decide if it was myself or Israel on the last one). I would say it has been quite the day but really it has been quite the week. Israel has been really challenging. Yesterday we had a friend over all day and the little boy was sweet, patient, kind and so wonderful. Israel was crying because

glasses & levers

2010-11-10T15:58:00.004-06:00

Last week Israel got glasses. I absolutely LOVE him when he wears them. They are so so cute & really have helped him already. Israel takes a music class on Fridays and the teacher noticed he might be having a hard time seeing the notes. I took him in and sure enough he is farsighted which means that he can't really see anything up close well. When he first put them on he said "Mom everything

how two kids don't share

2010-10-28T17:54:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was wonderful. Clean. laundry folded kind of day. Today just in the last twenty minutes I have dealt with barf, toilet water and toothbrushes, spilled gallon of water, bites marks & outfit change 8 for little miss. I have blog time because of baby Einstein and another one up on the bed having some rest time. Oh my. Motherhood at its finest.

how two kids share a room

2010-10-27T14:30:00.007-05:00

I often get asked how in the world do two kids share a room being different ages and different sexes. I have really been working hard on getting systems down on how this works as trial and error have been the means to figuring this out. Recently we moved out all the toys. Amen. Then we put in all the books and a comfy chair that my neighbor gave to us. This has really impacted our bedtime routine

Israel

2010-10-25T08:31:00.003-05:00

feels like I haven't posted in a while. A lot going on around here but sometimes I think there is nothing worth blogging about. My days have seemed full of cleaning, school for Israel, cleaning, working, discipline, blah blah blah. Sometimes life is mundane and faithfulness is the fruit of day in and day out. I read somewhere this week in regards to marriage "first one to the cross wins". I love

recycling for James 1:27

2010-10-01T09:23:00.004-05:00

It has really been on my heart to teach Israel practical ways to serve the poor. I desire for the commands of scripture to become simple adaptions in our family every day. James 1:27 burns in my heart on so many levels yet how am I walking this out? ("Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the

Brother Sister

2010-09-26T00:45:00.004-05:00

It is truly a delight to see your children go from tolerating one another to enjoying each other, to delighting in each other. This picture makes me melt. It is amazing to see the love of these two grow and grow. Israel started football this fall and absolutely loves it. Aubrey is there running around and repeats over and over "izzy". I love how their friendship is growing.

strawberry fairy

2010-09-23T09:30:00.003-05:00

Monday Happy Things

2010-09-13T18:17:00.006-05:00

Today was a good Monday. Schoolwork. Gardening. Israel filling up a pickle jar and cutting flowers to surprise me with a beautiful arrangement. Candy corn has arrived. Library books. Afternoon Starbucks. Football is on this evening and Izzy is ready to surprise his daddy with his jersey already on. I went to bed at 7 last night. Perhaps this has something to do with all that got done today... Oh

The Heavenly Man

2010-09-12T10:50:00.002-05:00

Last night our church hosted brother Yun also known as "The Heavenly Man". I had always wondered why he was called this. It is because when he was arrested in China after being chased and wanted for 10 years the policeman after beating him asked him his name. As the Holy Spirit fell upon him he cried out "I am the heavenly man. I reside in the city of Gospel. My mothers name is hope, love, faith.

This made me laugh.

2010-09-07T18:28:00.002-05:00

Today I am so tired. I have been so blessed by the webstream. It is now free at ihop.org. You can go scroll down and choose between worship with the word, intercession and it is so so good for your soul to be refreshed. We have had it on practically all day and it really has helped me chug through this day. School has started here and it is sort of like pulling teeth. We have put down some new

I am so grateful

2010-09-03T23:56:00.002-05:00

love.

sorting through the noise

2010-08-29T00:10:00.005-05:00

I am embarking on a new journey. November is my favorite month of the year for many reasons but mainly it has become a month of special events. Something special has happened the last six or so Novembers and it has become dear to my heart to set that month apart to seek the Lord, weed out distractions & really spend the time preparing my heart to receive openly before the Lord. Yesterday I

to all those who have asked...

2010-08-26T00:07:00.003-05:00

I will get back to you. I will return emails. My washer broke. My tire went flat. My ocean was calling... School post coming this weekend. I promise. And please don't look at my ability to spell anything or write correctly at all here as a reflection of me as a teacher to Israel. I just can't go there. It has to do with 3rd grade level on my senor year test.

painting and homeschool... oh and borrowing 3 eggs

2010-08-12T20:27:00.002-05:00

and just for kicks here is Izzy playing basketball at camp. Isn't he cute? So this week has been very very fun. We have been finishing up summer school home school (because we started homeschooling Israel a bit into the year) and have also been swimming daily. Today I decided to be productive and clean out my fridge to make use of what I had, make some dinners to freeze & use up the random

Now about that cake...

2010-08-09T21:22:00.005-05:00

Sunday was Israel's birthday. He turned six! He had such a special day. He went to Sunday school and came home to a lunch of his special request: bean tacos, Gatorade & lemon bars. He got many special presents namely star wars and Lego stuff. And to top off the day we played uno at Izzy's request for a birthday treat. He is such an amazing child. I think I could write an entire post on funny

miss kissie lips

2010-08-05T13:18:00.001-05:00

I am in love with my girl...

kurto

2010-08-03T08:59:00.002-05:00

Kurto & I have been through so much together. We met when I was a senior in high school at Starbucks. (hence our loyal support ever since) I think often times people say to wait to get married to "find out who you are" and to me me I think that is part of the beauty of marriage. Marriage develops who you are in the context of serving one another, challenging one another & growing together. I am

experimenting again

2010-07-27T21:52:00.007-05:00

oh these two are so much fun.

2010-07-19T18:33:00.003-05:00

This is such a funny picture. The kids are just hanging out on the stairs. The captions I could think of on Israel's face are unending...Perhaps he is trying to think of his outfit for Costco later that day which ended up being his snowboarding tshirt, lego starwars swim trunks, & superhero cape. I thought twice about it when he got out of the car but then thought to myself, "He's only gonna be

a summer wedding

2010-07-19T18:23:00.005-05:00

This wedding made me think of all things rainbow sherbert. The colors were so so fun!

my pocket. my brain.

2010-07-14T21:43:00.003-05:00

This week is basketball camp. My brother-in-law is hosting a camp for basketball. He is a great coach & Israel is having such a great time. He runs around for three hours and then on the way home I get to have conversations like this:"mom did you know that the Celtics H A T E the Lakers? Cause they do."" Mom I got to meet a real Laker. I touched his ring.""High knees is when you lift your knees

june glooom

2010-07-10T09:38:00.005-05:00

random life here. Israel my big swimmer, kitties playing, my fourth of July table, Israel & Aubrey's beds and a sunset from my front yard. Happy summer folks...I can't complain. It is record heat in some parts of the country & here I find that it is foggy til about 4pm everyday. I love living by the coast. I feel so spoiled here. My blog has had lack of activity as my brain has been on a spiral

a girl and her kitty

2010-07-07T17:22:00.003-05:00

Choosing JOY in the mess

2010-06-16T09:42:00.003-05:00

This month has been a bit crazy. I find that when I get pressed for time or lack of control over things I do what any normal person would do. For instance when my dishes are dirty & I find that my kitchen is not organized like it should be I take out everything and paint the inside of my cabinets. That was actually last month. This month I have reverted to my label maker. Many would ask why label

Cowboy & Capo

2010-06-14T22:34:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago I begged Kurto to let me bring home a new kitten from Capo Beach. Someone was giving them away & I am in need of something little that needs my attention and wants to cuddle. Lord knows Aubrey is none of those however cute she may be a cuddler she is not. Anyhow I told Kurt that we "got the kitten for his birthday so he could name her." Her name is Capo. Our old fat cat cowboy was

the color of happy

2010-06-05T20:37:00.003-05:00

I have always loved aqua. I can tend to go a bit nuts over the color. I remember being a little girl and loving it. I always tend to pick out my shirts this color, paint this color and really love my aqua cake plate. Anyhow I'm not the only one. My great grandmother loved aqua even more than I did. I have her painting above my bed that is all aqua tones of a beautiful river. She had aqua walls,

having a brother

2010-06-04T11:44:00.003-05:00

Having a brother means that when you play outside with water you are most likely to get wet. Drenched is more like it. Oh and don't you like Aubrey's awesome outfit? Not all days can be so well planned you know...

anyone else having one of these days?

2010-06-03T11:14:00.004-05:00

old things new

2010-06-03T10:42:00.004-05:00

These past few weeks I have been working on my moms old dresser that she had from childhood. I usually just whip out the spray paint and go for it but I am really trying to learn the value of time spent on a nice piece of furniture. The Lord knows that I love furniture & paint & sharing His love for others. How nice he gave me a property manager that I can do all three with! My property manager

A calorie free recipee & view of my kitchen

2010-05-26T13:36:00.007-05:00

my big helper this piece I got from my mom. I painted it aqua & it holds all things passed down and dear to methis is my table that connects to the family room. I just found the light up globe at a thrift shop. I love it at night a & Israel loves to study & look at it. The mirror is from my neighbor. Thanks Wendy. The glass jars I bought at an adoption garage sale in KC & filled them with agates

organization & chores

2010-05-25T14:53:00.006-05:00

I'm not sure what got me started on this but it is a mess around here. I'm organizing which means that I currently can't walk through my upstairs hallway without eating it. I recently read an article about being the ceo of your home. I am challenged by this as I am in the home all day, homeschooling, cleaning, disciplining, cooking, and drinking coffee. Oh and being Kurt's wife. I really desire

tea party

2010-05-19T17:00:00.003-05:00

Today we had a tea party. We celebrated Grandma Lynch on her birthday. Although we miss her dearly it was a special way to remember her, be with each other, celebrate cousins & babies being born & of course eat yummy tea party treats. I loved using her special pieces along with my grandma's special pieces to create an eclectic table filled with love and memories. Israel was playing so well with

Disneyland Fun

2010-05-17T22:07:00.004-05:00

we went to Disneyland today to celebrate Sophia's 5th birthday. She had never been which made things even more special. Aubrey went on Pirates for first time (she is 15 months) & every time a gun went off she would say "wow. wow." It was such a fun day.

Makes me smile

2010-05-11T16:47:00.006-05:00

Israel kept asking if he could help me make bananna bread today. Finally I got out everything to make it. I turned around to find an additional helper too. Izzy got the biggest kick out of this. Isn't it fun to be five?Things are going well here considering we are a bit sickie still. Today I am remembering to be thankful for my little ones. Usually I give Izzy just a quick squeeze of bubble bath

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T13:59:00.003-05:00

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful mothers out there! In keeping with the celebration around here I decided to go ahead and get strep again. Motherhood never stops sometimes. I'm trying to rest today. Anyways, I'm so thankful for my mom who took these great shots of Aubrey (and one of Izzy who was busy riding his razor the whole time) the other day. We love to go play on Grandma & Papa's

Kansas City & the Ocean

2010-05-06T15:09:00.002-05:00

Kansas City pulls on my heart. So does the ocean. Why God didn't put an ocean by Kansas City is often a pondering of my heart. It could be called the Missoura Ocean. Last week I had a very long travel week. The days in between were precious refreshment to my soul. The getting there and back were not. Lets just say that I booked my ticket not on South West the best airline ever. I booked a day

Maps

2010-04-15T20:44:00.003-05:00

Upon my urge to spray paint I headed out to Walmart this morning & picked up lime green, red & and a really pretty aqua. Israel is studying maps for the next six weeks so we decided the best way to study maps would be to do an art project of course. I had a bunch of old frames in the garage. I had an old map from Kurto's grandma. I had a can of awesome cherry red spray paint. Izzy and I had so

for Danielle

2010-04-08T13:59:00.004-05:00

Some days are smooth sailing. Others are not. This week has been sort of a monster. So after many broken promises I decided it would be the best week to show some pics of the new place. After all its really about being honest & real as a mom isn't it? My house has been a constant work in progress. My heart has been too. I am allowing my worth to come by His ways of thinking of me, not the success

Easter Eggs & the tooth fairy all in one weekend!

2010-04-02T08:44:00.003-05:00

I realize I haven't posted in a while. My power cord went out to my computer. My camera battery fell into the abyss of moving boxes. My mind has been preoccupied with kindergarten math. So this weekend I have some blogging resolutions but for now I thought I would share two things. First Izzy lost a tooth last night. He came downstairs and said "mom, dad, I have something really important to tell

2010-03-13T10:06:00.002-06:00

I'll share more later but for now I'll leave you with these lovely pics...

prayer

2010-03-11T11:32:00.003-06:00

I was reminded today to pray for a family. A special family. One dear to Kurto & my hearts. I was reminded today as I was feeling overwhelmed by the stupid things that trip up my day that there is far more eternal things to think about. That said I would appreciate the time for all to check up on this family. To say a prayer. To support them as you feel led. What a testimony and example of the

A day in the mind of Israel.

2010-03-10T09:21:00.008-06:00

Izzy always has a lot to say. He is clever, bold, funny & kind with his words. I decided to write them down all day and let others see how fun it is to be Israel's mom. He is always surprising me with his words. I love this boy.1) mom shouldn't we check the Popsicles? (6am)2) mom don't you miss the weather report?3) If I start to like (tree) bark & eat it a bunch maybe that will help my tooth to

new side link

2010-03-02T21:51:00.001-06:00

I have posted a new side link. Exodus Cry. Please check this out. It is very dear to kurto & my heart and something we must intercede for and be aware of.