Splash in the Rain Puddles

a quick update that brings a smile to my face.  Each child so different....in what they love....in how they do things.  Each capturing my heart in their very own special way.   Wing night!  this boy can eat some wings  work day at church.  Jack is my old soul.  He loves working with grown ups and accomplishing a task.  He is so proud of how his hard work helped make the church look so beautiful.   garden 2016 is underway.  in all of his glory......working his land :) teeth continue to fall out as much as Jack loves his garden, that's how much this guy loves being on the baseball field.   still my little baker.....and cookie monster....oh the anticipation! so proud of Chase and the special artist award he received at school and then Luke.... he was "helping" in the garden.  He so badly wants to be big like his brothers.   I love watching him in action. He also has gone from...

I haven't even looked to see when I last posted something on this blog.  But yes, I know it's been awhile.  This current stage I find myself in feels like I'm running as fast as I can behind a car that I'm trying to catch and I can never quite get close enough to get in the car.  I rest at the end of each day and then bright and early....it's off to chasing that car again.  But this particular morning I am so grateful to begin with more of a feeling of a jog.  We are in the middle of a two and a half long break from school and the boys are programmed to getting up early.  Unfortunately that doesn't change just because they are on break.  So most mornings, we start out sprinting :)  Finally on day 13 of break they are sleeping in a bit.  woohoo!  I was in great need of a day that I can ease into.  It's amazing what a few moments of uninterrupted quiet can do for a mother's soul. Baseball season has begun which means I'm seeing a l...

Isn't it wonderful that God knows exactly what we need?  I tend to focus on praying for the big things....please Lord equip me for parenting.....help me teach my boys true kindness....help us make the best decisions for their well being....please God help me survive these formative years without pulling every last one of the hairs out of my head....keep us healthy....keep us safe...keep us as crisis free as possible.  Things like that are what I think I need. When what I've really needed was that casual conversation with my 8 year old that somehow calmed my heart about changes that are just around the corner for our family....30 minutes of the littlest guy keeping himself content so that I could once again connect with you on this blog.....celebrating with the middle one when he finally remembered how to pronounce Thessalonians so that he could move forward in his Awana book.....and just this morning witnessing a very rare moment of brotherly love between the older two....a si...

As I sit here this morning I am thinking one thing.  Thank goodness it's not last Saturday!  While we still have a bit of snow on the ground, I am thankful for this calm, peaceful morning.  As one who is not a fan of snow, you can imagine how I felt about last weekend's blizzard.  Never mind the fact that it cut our vacation short!  Snow.  I just see no good in you.  However I am very, very grateful that my hubby made the tough decision to get us out of Florida before the storm hit.  The thought of being stuck in an airport or hotel room with 3 boys and nothing to do......well it would have most definitely been worse than all the snow.  So we made it home and the boys and I hunkered down for several days while Chad was hard at work with the snow plow clearing roads for the state.  Who's ready for spring!!!??? It's always a blessing to spend time with family.  The fact that we got to do it at Disney World, in beautiful Florida suns...

It's hard to believe we are smack in the middle of January already.  I've given up trying to understand how the time can possibly go by so quickly.  The past few weeks brought us a wonderful Christmas season spent with family and friends.  I begin the new year so very grateful for the many blessings in my life.  I have so much to be thankful for.  While each new year holds it's own uncertainties and challenges, I am so grateful that I can rest in the comfort and peace of knowing that God is holding our little family in His hands.  So here's to a new year.....to trusting God with it all.  not just the easy and comfortable parts, but with the challenges and worries as well.  Welcome 2016! best Christmas morning smile ever :) best Christmas dinner ever :) best Christmas present ever :) best coats ever :) also, best Christmas gift ever :) best buddies ever :) best game ever :)  is there really anything lik...

well I think the last time I've experienced 70 degree weather on a December day was back when I was living in Florida....prior to marriage....prior to residing in Delaware ...prior to having children....in other words.....a very long time ago.  Yet, here we are in the midst of an unusually warm Christmas season.  Stranger things have happened I suppose, but it sure feels odd to see the bell ringer at Walmart in shorts and flip flops.  I'm not complaining.  The longer the cold is delayed the happier I am :) This month is flying by and we have been enjoying our annual Christmas festivities.  The baking, the decorating, the parade, the Christmas songs, the tree.  Oh the tree.  Let me just tell you about this year's tree. It's artificial.  and I love it.  and here's why....there was no nagging my hubby to go to town to buy a tree....there was no debating about which tree was the right shape, the right height....no deciding fir or spruce.....no ...

I am a firm believer that gratitude is the key to contentment.....and that contentment is one the main keys to joy.  I am overwhelmed by the blessings in my life.  That doesn't mean things are perfect, easy, or always fun....it simply means I am thankful.  Thankful for the life God has blessed me with....thankful that he gives me the strength to hold tight to Him through the valley's and across the bumps.  Thankful that at the end of each day I have everything I could possibly ask for.....the grace of a loving God, the faithful love and support of a godly husband, three beautiful healthy children, and an extended family who loves the Lord and my family unconditionally.  That is what I'm thankful for.  That is what brings contentment to my life.  That is what brings me joy. Chase was so proud of his "thankful leaf" he made for Awana.........Jesus, Mommy, toys, Daddy, and Grandma.....in that order.  so sweet :) Unfortunately I think this i...