Splash in the Rain Puddles

It's been a great season of celebrating our Savior and the wonderful gifts of family and friends.  Tomorrow begins a new year and I'm always grateful for that feeling of starting fresh and new.  I'm so thankful we serve a God who gives us endless opportunities to try again, to do better, to continue to grow and be molded into the person he desires us to be.  That's really my resolution each and every year....to stay firm and steady....right there in the palm of His hand...then he will mold me and make me new....his mercies will always be new each morning...and I will get to reap all the joys of growing closer and closer to my Father.  we had a wonderful time celebrating an early Christmas with Gramps and Grandma! they even got to see Luke's preschool program. aka cutest thing ever.  a few fun nights of popcorn and movies and of course some serious football watching lots of wood chopping thanks to these three helpers and some pre...

It's that wonderful time of year.  That time of year when mom says, "under no circumstance. will ANYONE.  open ANY BOX. that might be sitting outside the door. at ANY TIME!" :)  because boxes by the door are now the only way my Christmas shopping gets done.  Honestly, between Walmart grocery pick up (which deserves a post all of it's own, because it's just that amazing), and my friend Amazon prime, I pretty much haven't been in a retail store for a good 5 months now.  I do find myself slightly missing the Christmas decorations in the isles, the music playing, the hustle and bustle.  But only slightly.  Mostly I just love that I'm not standing in lines....rummaging through the piles to find a right size....or circling the parking lot just praying for a spot.  Nope.  I have fully embraced the world of online shopping.  We've been doing all the things that we usually do this time of year.  I love how my kids want to do everything ...

We are welcoming the start of a four day weekend for the boys and looking forward to all the fun things that are going on.  Sleepovers, practices, birthday parties, movie nights, time spend together...  And remembering our veterans and the way they have served so selflessly to protect our country.  Forever grateful for those brave men and women.   And a quick photo recap of what's been going on... Fire house visit for Luke and his class and just a few days later dressed up as a firefighter for costume day at school and got to meet some of our state's finest.  that's a happy boy right there.  Thanks to grandma for making this happen!! champs!  Chase and his flag football team finished with a perfect season.  Go Saints! love our Halloween tradition with this crew. so thankful for the wonderful friends in Jack's life.  and our first year playing fall baseball.  A new experience for sure, but I ...

My baby turned 5.  He absolutely cannot handle it when I call him my baby.  As he moves through milestones and continues to grow, it's bittersweet as I know he's the last.  My baby he will always be.   a look back at 5 years that at moments, felt like the longest ever....and at the same time have flown by faster than I can handle.... Luke, you bring so much laughter, joy, and energy to our days.  You are a handful, a charmer, with a tender heart and a love for life that I just cannot get enough of.   Happy birthday my littlest love!! 

11 years.  11 years ago (yesterday) I became a mom for the very first time and began the most humbling and exciting journey called motherhood.   You, my first born son, were a force to be reckoned with in your early years.   You pushed and challenged and introduced me to the term "strong-willed child."  :)    But with lots of prayer and perseverance we watched you come around  and start to find your way. ...deciding to live your life for Jesus and  striving to be the young man he desires you to be.   You make your momma's heart so proud as I watch the way you work at everything with all your heart...as you learn and desire to know as many new things as you possibly can....as you quietly lead friends and teammates without even realize you're doing so....as I see your tender heart and the way you care about others...and as I watch you choose to do the...