she's a little bit country. . . .

               our "tomboy, bare footed, guitar pickin', princess singer. . . ."

we woke up to about 5 inches of freshly fallen snow this morning and it wasn't long before my three youngest were outside enjoying the gift God blessed them with! I love hearing their laughter, their delight as they play in the snow!

a Tori-ism. . . .

Victoria wanted a bowl of cereal for a snack, after she ate it shes comes up to me and says, "I ate my cereal all gone, Mama (as she's rubbing her tummy and looking at me with her beautiful piercing blue eyes)!"  Then I say, "I sure love you I just can't let you be four next week!" and she says, "its okay Mama, you can still hold me, I promise. . . pinkie swear (which she holds out her pinkie for me to place mine on it)"  She just melts my heart and WOW. . . .really???? four already????  that just flew by!

There truly is nothing better, on this earth, than to share wonderful moments with the ones you love.  I especially cherish the time that we, Den and I, or our children can come together, near and far, and pray.  It's the glue that holds us all together, its the piece of the puzzle that makes us all complete.  I love to hear my family praying for each other; being totally free and open to share exactly what's on their hearts.  It's a rare gift I never got to experience as a child with my parents.  Back then having a relationship with Christ just meant you attended church on Sundays.  I'm so glad there was more to Him than just church; I'm also glad my family, one by one, are choosing to follow and trust (in spite of our [my] mistakes) Him and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my kids share prayer requests with their dad and I, knowing we will go before His Throne for them.  Many times we find ourselves focusing on the struggles, keeping them tight to us, not allowing God to move us beyond them; frustrating us, causing us to pull away from the one who wants us to pull closer.  We are learning, mostly me, to leave it "all" in His hands; to let go, to trust and wait on Him.  It certainly isn't easy for someone who likes to have everything organized and in it's place, yet the blessings that overflow are unbelievable and we are then able to praise and honor Him, completely.

some days. . . .it's just TOUGH being a parent! trying to help your children without enabling them, listening to them without discouraging them, nurturing without being possessive, knowing when to "stand in the gap" and when to let them stand for themselves.  Honestly I had no clue 32+ years ago how painfully tough it would be to parent; I mean none of those "self-help, 5 helpful hints to raising perfect children. etc" say anything about a parents love, how deep and vast it is and how forgiving, no matter the depth of hurt.  Yet I have a Father who knows my pain, my anguish; a Father (who gave up His only son for a lost and wicked world) who will love me, guide me, encourage and even, at times, reprimand me! I'm glad for it; I pray it continues to "refine" me into more of His image. . . .more of Him. . . .less of me! On those days, like today especially, when I feel completely inadequate, as a parent, I fall to my knees asking God to intercede, to carry me. . . . ."how deep the Fathers Love for us"

Play-time at preschool

my little "snow angel"

Victoria's preschool had a morning where it was outside play.  Colson and I were able to enjoy the morning with her!  It was so cute watching all the little 3 year olds follow Colson around and want him to play with them; he enjoyed it too!

Victoria and Colson

time to change up the color too. . . .

if you know me you know that BLACK is my favorite color! crazy!  yet I can't seem to stay away from it! I don't mean for it to be "dark" or "gothic", I just LOVE black and hey, my new picture matches the color scheme! PERFECT!

Change: The process of becoming different,

Whew. . . its been a long week trying to get back into the swing of life after the Holidays.  Both Den and I have been exhausted, and I think its even been apparent in the four kids that are now the only ones home with us.  That sure seems rather strange too! So many changes and for us, they seem to come all at once, never quite getting one change under your belt you get several, trying to figure out how to adjust to them, finding a new "normal" for a much smaller household.  I'm targeting to change my "inner soul", getting myself where I need to be in my personal walk with Christ (if thats in line with Him the rest will follow).  One of my greatest accomplishments has been reading the Bible through in 90 DAYS.  When I first started I honestly couldn't believe it could be done but as I neared the finish line I realized it was, indeed, possible.  What an undertaking as the reading took a full hour each day.  It did, however, take me 98 days, due to the fact that I had a 3 year old encroaching on my early morning (4am) reading time for an entire week which set me behind.  I got a bit stressed over it as my last week also feel the week of Christmas, but then I felt the Holy Spirit whisper that it didn't matter I was a wee (thank you, Nichola, my Irish friend for that sweet little word) bit behind; just keep reading, which I did and completed!  Honestly I miss that hour and am asking God to show me what I can pursue so I don't loose what I've gained.  I'm adopting the song by Third Day  FOLLOW ME THERE  as my theme for the year.

FIRST

As I was searching through the applications on my YOUVERSION Bible I came across this message and watched it on my phone (love that droid).  What a way to start the New Year choosing

• the FIRST of the day:      SEEK GOD
• the FIRST of the week:   WORSHIP GOD
• the FIRST of the month:  TITHE
• the FIRST of the year:     FAST

A few quotes from the sermon:
     "if you want what you had, continue to do what you did!"

     "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"

What kind of year was last year, for you, spiritually?

• Spiritually Apathetic
• Spiritually Inconsistant
• Spiritually Consumed

I know which one I was and what I'm aiming for!

Check out an amazing sermon here:Putting God FIRST

books I'm reading. . . .

. . .along with the books I'm reading for classes I'm working my way through a few others.  I started the book, above, before Christmas and had hoped to finish it during break.  We were so busy that I literally had no spare time to read.  Its on my "finish" list this week. I received Sarah Palin's book, "America By Heart" from my son for Christmas.  I just LOVE that lady!  I downloaded "Made to Crave" to my KINDLE.  I will keep you abreast of what I'm gleaning from each book as I finish them.  What are you reading for 2011?